Liverpool is getting ready to host a very special tribute to one of the world’s most famous playwrights…

Venues all over Liverpool are getting ready to pay tribute to William Shakespeare marking the 400^th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. The free project will see a series of 37 short films played on screens at city centre venues on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 April.

Announced last month by Shakespeare’s Globe, Liverpool is the only UK city, so far, outside of London to host The Complete Walk. The Florrie, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Kazimier Garden, the Town Hall, Aloft hotel, Liverpool Cathedral, Granby 4 Streets and Tate Liverpool are just some of the venues who will be hosting the rolling ten minute films.

Some of the cast announced so far for the films is Simon Russell Beale, Zawe Ashton, Peter Capaldi, Dominic West, James Norton, Olivia Williams, Jonathan Pryce, Phoebe Pryce, Hayley Atwell, Meera Syal, Jamie Parker, Danny Sapani, Mel Giedroyc, Aidan Gillen, Joshua McGuire, Paul Chahidi, Pauline McLynn, Joseph Marcell, Kenneth Cranham and Tom Burke.

Liverpool Everyman’s and Playhouse Associate Director, Nick Bagnall has directed three of the films – Henry VI parts two and three, which will both be shown at the Everyman, and Titus Andronicus which stars Peter Capaldi will be shown at the Playhouse due to Peter’s starring role in The Ladykillers at the venue in 2011.

Nick said: “It has been an absolute delight to make these short films for Shakespeare’s Globe for their Complete Walk.

“I have a very close relationship to all three of the plays I directed for the project and to realise them on film with the most astonishing group of actors has been invigorating. I am thrilled that the films will be shown in Liverpool and it is a great coup for the city. I hope visitors enjoy watching them as much as I have enjoyed making them.”

Assistant Mayor and Cabinet Member for culture, tourism and events, Councillor Wendy Simon, said: “When it was announced last month that Liverpool was to play host to this special event we had a fantastic response from organisations in the city centre.

“Many of the venues believed they would be the perfect hosts for particular films – because of the Bluecoat’s balcony they opted for Romeo and Juliet, the courts at St George’s Hall’s fit in well with The Merchant of Venice and As You Like It was the first Shakespeare play to be performed on the Unity Theatre’s stage in 1945.

“There is a real variety of organisations taking part, from the cathedral to bars, hotels to tourist information centres which is an added element for the people taking part in this special Shakespeare trail.”

33 venues are involved in the project. The films they are showing and the times (which are subject to change) are:

For more information about The Complete Walk visit www.cultureliverpool.co.uk/thecompletewalk or like @culturelpool on Twitter of follow Culture Liverpool on Facebook.