Shakespeare for Everyone!
Past, Present and Future.
The Stratford-upon-Avon Shakespeare Club, founded in 1824, is the oldest Shakespeare society in the world. Originally founded by local people, it still aims to provide enjoyment to anyone with an interest in Shakespeare’s work, life and times, independent of other Shakespeare organisations.
Speakers at its monthly talks are specialists in their subjects, coming from a wide range of backgrounds including universities, theatres, and the media.
The Club takes part in the town’s Shakespeare Birthday Celebrations each April, and other events include occasional exhibitions, readings and luncheons.
New members and guests are always welcome.
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Glasgow Shakspere Society
On 20 February 2026 the Clydebank Post reported on a discovery that sheds light on the history of Shakespeare in Glasgow. This ticket shows that the Glasgow Shakespeare Society was established by 1852 when a dinner was held on Shakespeare’s Birthday. For six shillings (30p), the holder got dinner and a pint of wine.
The current society has been reading Shakespeare’s plays since around 1970 and was unaware that Glaswegians had been celebrating Shakespeare all those years before.
It was one of the earliest of Shakespeare Clubs. The first known one (of which little is known) was the Shakespeare Ladies Club formed in 1736 when four “Women of Quality” met to read and discuss Shakespeare’s plays. Another early club was the Sheffield Shakespeare Society which met from 1819 to 1829. The oldest Shakespeare Club still in existence is the Stratford-upon-Avon Shakespeare Club.
In the mid 1800s Shakespeare Clubs and Societies flourished. They varied a great deal, but on Shakespeare’s Birthday, 23rd April, all seem to have enjoyed a good dinner with speeches, songs, and plenty of wine.
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