LOCAL COMMITTEE. Sir ROBERT N. C. HAMILTON, Bart., K.C.B., Chairman. The Rev. G. GRANVILLE, Vicar, } Vice-chairmen. Kingsley, Dr. Robt. E. Hunter, Secretary. MONUMENTAL MEMORIAL COMMITTEE. The Earl of Carlisle, K.G. The Earl of Somers, F.R.G.S. Sir Robert N. C. Hamilton, Bart., K.C.B. Sir Coutts Lindsay, Bart. Gambier Parry, Esq. John Ruskin, Esq. Tom Taylor, Esq. Alfred Tennyson, Esq., D.C.L., Poet Laureate. The Earl Delawarr The Earl of Coventry Lord Wrottesley Lord Dufferin Lord Northwick The Hon. E. Chandos Leigh STEWARDS. Galton, Darwin, Esq. Hamilton, Captain Harding, W. J., Esq., Hodge, Maj.-Gen., C.B., Aldershot Lucy, H. Spencer, Esq., Charle cote Machen, Major Mason, Lieut.-Col. Muntz, P. H., Esq., Edstone Minster, R. H., Esq., Mayor of Coventry Musgrave, C., Esq. Parker, Francis, Esq., Worcester Peel, A. Robert, Esq., Worcester Vaughton, R. Dymock, Esq. Wright, T., Esq., Tidmington ACTING STEWARDS. Lord Willoughby de Broke Child, W. Henry, Esq. PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME. In accordance with the expectations manifested throughout the country, that the ordinary marks of respect and rejoicing with which the birthday of Shakespeare is annually commemorated in his native town should, on this, the three hundredth anniversary, be extended to a national celebration, a Committee was formed in the early part of 1863 to suggest and carry out a scheme which might, so far as possible, meet the requirements of the occasion. After many months of unceasing exertion, rendered more onerous by their entire inexperience, and by the difficulty of selecting amongst the vast number of suggestions which have been offered from all parts of the world, the Committee are now in a position to announce the general features of their programme. Although the festival will only extend over a few days, a spacious pavilion has been erected of a character unusually substantial, decorated in the Elizabethan style, with stage and orchestra for the dramatic and musical entertainments, and with ample accommodation for the banquet and ball. Many of the most eminent dramatic and vocal artistes have given their gratuitous services, and have heartily joined in the earnest endeavour to make the entertainment as attractive as possible. The substantial objects to which the pecuniary results of the festival will be devoted, are 1st. The erection of a National Monumental Memorial to Shakespeare in the town of his birth. 2nd. The extension of the educational advantages of the Free Grammar School of King Edward VI., Stratford-upon-Avon, at which Shakespeare was educated, and to found one or more Scholarships or Exhibitions to the Universities of the United Kingdom, open to the competition of those who have received their education at that school. THE FESTIVAL WILL COMMENCE AT ΝΟΟΝ On SATURDAY, April the 23rd. The President, Vice-presidents, Committee, and others officially connected with the proceedings, will meet at the Town Hall, and should the arrangements of the monumental Committee be sufficiently advanced, they will proceed to the site fixed upon for the erection of the national memorial, and the ceremony of laying the first stone will take place. At three p.m. there will be a BANQUET in the pavilion, at which the EARL OF CARLISLE will preside, supported by many members of both Houses of Parliament, and others eminent in literature, science, and art. Ladies are particularly invited to attend, and the tickets issued will be strictly limited to the number of guests that can be accommodated with comfort. In the evening there will be a grand display of Fireworks, by Mr. Darby, the celebrated pyrotechnist. On SUNDAY, April the 24th, Sermons will be preached in the Parish Church in the morning and afternoon, and a collection will be made at the close of each service, for the purpose of restoring and beautifying the chancel, where the poet's remains are interred. On MONDAY, April the 25th, at noon, Handel's Oratorio of the "MESSIAH," will be performed in the pavilion, by an orchestra and chorus of five hundred performers, conducted by Mr. Alfred Mellon, the Musical Director of the festival, the solo parts will be sustained by Mdlle. Tietjens, Madame Sainton-Dolby, Mr. Sims Reeves, Mr. Santley, &c. IN THE EVENING, at Seven o'clock, There will be a GRAND MISCELLANEOUS CONCERT of Music associated with the Works of Shakespeare. Artistes:-Mesdames Parepa, Sainton-Dolby, Arabella Goddard; Messrs. Sims Reeves, C. Santley, G. Perren, and full Orchestra. On TUESDAY, April the 26th, There will be an EXCURSION to CHARLECOTE, and other places of Shakespearian interest. Carriages will be provided for those who apply for tickets before April the 9th. H. Spencer Lucy, Esq., has consented to open the grounds and house of Charlecote on that day to holders of tickets. IN THE EVENING, at Seven o'clock, There will be a representation of Shakespeare's Comedy of "TWELFTH NIGHT," or "WHAT YOU WILL," by the Company of the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, London, including Mr. Buckstone, Mr. Compton, Mr. Chippendale, Mr. Howe, Mr. W. Farren, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Walter Gordon, Mr. Braid, Mr. Weatherby, Mr. Cullenford, Miss Louisa Angel, Miss H. Lindley, and Mrs. E. Fitzwilliam. After the Comedy, Mr. Sothern (Lord Dundreary) has promised to appear in a short one-act Entertainment of a peculiar construction. On WEDNESDAY, April the 27th, In the morning, there will be a Reading or other Entertainment of a similar character at the Shakespeare Rooms. IN THE EVENING, at Seven o'clock, Shakespeare's Tragedy of "HAMLET" will be performed by the Company of the Royal Lyceum Theatre. |