TO commemorate the 450th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s birth in 1564, The Night Watch reclaim the songs and dance music William knew and used in his plays.

The talented duo, described as having dexterity, subtlety, precise timing and a display of flying fingers, will be performing on the instruments the bard would have heard, and wearing the clothes of his day.

Hear songs about fortune and fairies, love and loss, going mad and growing up; together with jigs, masques and Queen Elizabeth I’s favourite dance, all referred to or performed in his plays.

The Night Watch (Andy Casserley and Ian Pittaway) sing and play a wide range of bowed, blown and plucked period instruments such as recorders, lutes, shawms, rebec, crumhorn, cittern, pipe and tabor, renaissance guitar, bagpipes, cornamuse, orpharion, gemshorn, bandora, spinet, bray harp and percussion.

Their trademark irreverent humour will make this an entertaining show for music lovers with only a passing knowledge of Shakespeare, while also revealing hidden and little-heard musical gems to the Bard’s ardent fans.

The show will be at the venue's Room Upstairs on Friday, May 23 at 7.45pm

Tickets are available in person or at the box office on 01527 65203 priced £9.75 (inclusive of booking fee 75p per seat up to a maximum £3).

To purchase seats online or for more information, visit redditchpalacetheatre.co.uk.