WIRRAL Globe Arts ambassadors Hand in Hand (HiH) are delighted to team up with Literally Books to celebrate William Shakespeare's birthday layter this month.

Company members will be joined for Bill's Birthday Bash at the bookshop in Atherton Street, New Brighton on April 23 by special guests.

Broadcaster, actor and tenor Johnny Kennedy will perform two songs and a speech.

Christopher Power, Shakespearean actor and teacher will perform three of his favourite monologues.

He last appeared with HiH in 2009 in their award winning Remembrance Day.

David Emmanuel, aka Mango, a Liverpool based poet, will not only read a sonnet but also write a new one for the occasion.

Familiar faces from HiH, Adam Stubbs, Phil Murray, Jan Bradshaw, Fiona Williams, Barry William Powell are joined by newcomer Bethany Avincourt and together with director Bev Clark.

They will present a selection of speeches and readings from the comedies, tragedies and histories.

Actors will be in Elizabethan dress.

Director Bev Clarke told the Globe: "We always try to do something to mark the Bard's big day.

"After the afternoon performance at Literally in Atheron Street, some of the company will appear at the opening of the Leverhulme Drama Festival which runs from April 23-29 at The Gladstone Theatre.

"We were last year's winners but this year we will be doing a selection of speeches to open the festival on the Sunday night which are not part of the competition.

"The Leverhulme festival showcases local talent from 18 teams from across Wirral, Merseyside and Cheshire and Wales.''

Bill's Birthday Bash on April 23 starts at at 3pm.

Tickets are £5, including refreshments.

Further details from literallyproductions.co.uk or 07914737887