William Shakespeare's birthplace Stratford-upon-Avon led global celebrations on Saturday to mark 400 years since the Bard's death, as US President Barack Obama delighted in a performance of scenes from "Hamlet" at the Globe Theatre in London. President Obama, on the last day of a visit to Britain, was treated to scenes including the famous "To be or not to be?" soliloquy on an early morning visit to the Globe, a reconstruction of a 16th century theatre on the banks of the River Thames.
Actors Judi Dench, Helen Mirren, Benedict Cumberbatch and Ian McKellen, meanwhile, were among the star names due to celebrate the anniversary with more performances from Shakespeare's best known works at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford. At the Globe, the US president watched intently before clapping loudly and joining the cast on stage at the part open-air theatre, the brainchild of American actor and director Sam Wanamaker
"Let me shake hands with everyone. That was wonderful. I don't want it to stop," Obama told them. Stratford, where Shakespeare was born and died, kicked off the day's merriment with a parade of performers, ending at his grave. Visitors, performers and literature buffs from around the world descended on the sleepy central English market town for a day of theatre, dancing, fireworks and music.