Morris Dancing at Summer Solstice in Stratford-upon-Avon

I visited lovely Stratford-upon-Avon over the weekend for the Summer Solstice, the perfect place to celebrate the longest day/ shortest night of the year.

I’d gone primarily to catch Kenneth Branagh as Prospero in The Tempest, but combined it with wander around the town to do all the usual tourist type things, all finished off with a quick drink in the Mucky Mallard, as it were.

Stratford does midsummer so well (yes, I know British midsummer is a few days after the solstice, but close enough) — there’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream references everywhere, from mischievous fairies on lampposts to sculptures tucked into gardens.

As I was wandering through the town, I noticed the Stratford Green Man outside the Net Zero Carbon Hub – I have no idea how I’d missed him on previous visits, but he’s been there a few years and his name is Ken – the schoolkids who named him, as well as created the leaves, were Barbie fans.

I then spotted two people walking past me wonderfully dress in black and green face paint, with leaves on their clothing and instruments on their backs saying “Folk Dance”, so I had to be nosey and ask what was going on.

Turns out I was there for National Morris Weekend – yes, National Morris Weekend – and Morris dancers and folk musicians from across the country (and in one case from across the world with one group from Minnesota) were congregating for some folk dancing out Shakespeare’s birthplace.

Afterwards, I dashed off to the RSC and – can you believe it – there were even more dancers outside. I watched as much as I could, but alas, Kenneth Branagh was waiting for me to go on stage.

Anyway, I also filmed some of the action – watch the video above or on YouTube – and I look forward to being back in Shakespeare country in August for The Mad King.

Until next time, nos da!