0:00:07 > 0:00:10In this self-same soil that Shakespeare called his own,
0:00:10 > 0:00:14new artistic roots and shoots have successfully grown.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17This middle-England gem, this idyllic country-town haven
0:00:17 > 0:00:23can still justly be known as creative Stratford-upon-Avon.
0:00:27 > 0:00:30This week, we're in Shakespeare's home town
0:00:30 > 0:00:32celebrating the creative arts
0:00:32 > 0:00:35with magnificent hymns from Holy Trinity Church,
0:00:35 > 0:00:38the ballerina who stepped out of the spotlight to help others shine
0:00:38 > 0:00:41and the poet following in the footsteps of the Bard.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51Shakespeare's legacy is alive and well
0:00:51 > 0:00:53in the town's world class theatre
0:00:53 > 0:00:57and the artistic flair doesn't end there.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00We'll be meeting some local people who have amazing talents of their own.
0:01:00 > 0:01:04Every year the town welcomes a staggering five million tourists,
0:01:04 > 0:01:09so what better way to find out more about this town than to ask a local poet?
0:01:09 > 0:01:12No, not that one...this one!
0:01:12 > 0:01:15- Hi, let me show you around.- Perfect.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18And of course, David's written our tour in rhyme
0:01:18 > 0:01:21with ideas of how you might spend your time.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25A town like no other, touched by a great writer's charm,
0:01:25 > 0:01:29now has restaurants, galleries and even a butterfly farm.
0:01:29 > 0:01:34Locals and tourists mix in Bancroft Gardens to relax
0:01:34 > 0:01:38in this world-famous venue, far off the beaten tracks.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41The Royal Shakespeare Theatre has historic, dramatic power.
0:01:41 > 0:01:46The building has been reborn - see its impressive tower.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49A vantage point to look beyond the great Bard's history
0:01:49 > 0:01:54and find Stratford's modern forms of pleasure and mystery.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57New and old happily combine.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00Now and then join up to tell their story "As You Like It"
0:02:00 > 0:02:03showing "All's Well That Ends Well".
0:02:03 > 0:02:07And where the great man lies under Holy Trinity's ground,
0:02:07 > 0:02:11we can listen through the ages to each beautiful sound.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19Whatever the past, present and future may be bringing,
0:02:19 > 0:02:23we can open our hearts and hear angel voices ever-singing.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45MUSIC: "Overture Miniature" by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
0:04:49 > 0:04:54As soon as she could walk, Margaret Sweet started to dance.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57And it wasn't long before her talent shone through.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01There was the lovely day when my dancing teacher said to me,
0:05:01 > 0:05:03"Do you mind if some people watch you today?"
0:05:03 > 0:05:06And I said, "No, not at all."
0:05:06 > 0:05:08And she introduced me to these three people
0:05:08 > 0:05:10but I had no idea who they were
0:05:10 > 0:05:14because I was only about nine, I suppose.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18And they watched me have a private lesson and afterwards,
0:05:18 > 0:05:21they said, "You really enjoy ballet, don't you?"
0:05:21 > 0:05:24And I said, "Yes, I love it." "Have you been to see the ballet?
0:05:24 > 0:05:27"Because we're in Stratford this week." This was Sadler's Wells.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31And I said... I can clearly remember saying,
0:05:31 > 0:05:33"No, but Mummy says if I'm a good girl,
0:05:33 > 0:05:36"she'll take me to the matinee on Saturday!"
0:05:36 > 0:05:38Margaret's talent was recognised
0:05:38 > 0:05:41and she was awarded a prestigious scholarship
0:05:41 > 0:05:42to study at Sadler's Wells.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48It wasn't just something that happened once a week any more.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51It was something that became a little bit more intense than that
0:05:51 > 0:05:53and I wanted to do more of it.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00We started having walk-on parts in the ballets
0:06:00 > 0:06:04and I had the privilege of being in the first production
0:06:04 > 0:06:07of Cinderella at Covent Garden, so, yes!
0:06:09 > 0:06:12But then I decided I wanted to teach.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15'I enjoyed dancing so much
0:06:15 > 0:06:17'and I wanted to share it with other people.
0:06:17 > 0:06:22'I found teaching very, very rewarding.'
0:06:22 > 0:06:26You try to make the best for God of what he's given you to do.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29And then, just when most people would be considering retiring,
0:06:29 > 0:06:32Margaret's life took her in a new direction
0:06:32 > 0:06:34when she trained for ordination.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38'I can remember one night saying, "No, God, go away, you don't want me, go away!"
0:06:38 > 0:06:39'But He wasn't going to go away.'
0:06:41 > 0:06:43'I suddenly thought, "Yes, I am being called."'
0:06:45 > 0:06:48Margaret found a perfect way to combine her faith
0:06:48 > 0:06:50and her love of dancing.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54'These days I don't often do ballet
0:06:54 > 0:06:57'but I do liturgical dance,
0:06:57 > 0:07:00'or liturgical movement as I prefer them to call it.'
0:07:02 > 0:07:06'Liturgical movement is actually using your body to worship,
0:07:06 > 0:07:11'to express worship. And it's, in a sense, like singing.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15'You are helping other people to worship and your movement in that'
0:07:15 > 0:07:18is expressing for other people
0:07:18 > 0:07:20what perhaps they can't get up and do
0:07:20 > 0:07:23and what perhaps they can enjoy and join in worshipping
0:07:23 > 0:07:26through watching somebody do it.
0:07:27 > 0:07:28'Yes, God definitely has His hand on.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32'He's very, very much with me by my right shoulder'
0:07:32 > 0:07:36all the time. The first thing in the morning is, "Good morning, God,"
0:07:36 > 0:07:38and the last thing at night is, "Goodnight, God,"
0:07:38 > 0:07:39and throughout the day
0:07:39 > 0:07:42and I'm very, very much aware that he's there.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46'I can look back and my feet have always been put
0:07:46 > 0:07:48'where they ought to be.'
0:10:16 > 0:10:23# Prevent us, O Lord
0:10:23 > 0:10:28# In all our doings with thy... #
0:10:28 > 0:10:32Conductor Stephen Dodsworth started Stratford Chamber Choir
0:10:32 > 0:10:34in 1993.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38Being in Stratford, it's an inspiring place to be.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41There was a lot of music going on
0:10:41 > 0:10:45but not exactly the sort of music that I wanted.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47CHORAL SINGING
0:10:47 > 0:10:50'I wanted a smaller group that was more flexible
0:10:50 > 0:10:54'and the chamber choir provides that.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56'It's like playing an instrument.'
0:10:56 > 0:10:58When the choir's particularly responsive,
0:10:58 > 0:11:00it's really, really exciting.
0:11:00 > 0:11:05And Stephen uses that instrument to perform his own compositions.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09Most of the music I've written has been since I came to Stratford.
0:11:09 > 0:11:17# Prevent us, O Lord
0:11:17 > 0:11:22# In all our doings... #
0:11:22 > 0:11:28'"Prevent Us, O Lord" I wrote for a friend of mine as a surprise.
0:11:28 > 0:11:29'It was his 60th birthday.'
0:11:31 > 0:11:35He sings in the Chamber Choir, he also sings in the Choral Society.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38He also sings in Holy Trinity Choir.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41And I arranged with the Director of Music at Holy Trinity
0:11:41 > 0:11:45that it would be incorporated in a service on his birthday.
0:11:45 > 0:11:53# That in all our works begun, continued... #
0:11:55 > 0:11:57In order to maintain the secret,
0:11:57 > 0:12:03I supplied copies to the choir with a different name from mine
0:12:03 > 0:12:09so that the secret wouldn't be out and then surprised Robert
0:12:09 > 0:12:12by standing next to him in the service
0:12:12 > 0:12:15and placing a copy with my name on it.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17It rather threw him, I think.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20He spent most of the time not concentrating on the singing
0:12:20 > 0:12:23but wondering why I'd stolen somebody else's music!
0:12:23 > 0:12:31- # We may glorify - # Glorify. #
0:12:31 > 0:12:34The words really, if we're talking about inspiration,
0:12:34 > 0:12:38the words are the inspiration. I'm not the person to say whether
0:12:38 > 0:12:43I'm successful but I always try and...
0:12:43 > 0:12:49underline the...the real sense of the words,
0:12:49 > 0:12:52trying to avoid mawkish sentimentality.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55I'm not sure whether I achieved that either.
0:12:55 > 0:13:02# By thy mercy... #
0:13:02 > 0:13:06Standing in front of the choir when they are singing my music,
0:13:06 > 0:13:08I suppose it's a bit like the cat that got the cream
0:13:08 > 0:13:12because it's a very privileged position.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15And there are a lot of people involved
0:13:15 > 0:13:22and they're actually giving shape and bringing into...bringing to life
0:13:22 > 0:13:25my own creation, as it were.
0:13:25 > 0:13:30# Christ, our Lord. #
0:13:30 > 0:13:34'I'd always been involved in playing the organ or directing
0:13:34 > 0:13:35'and the distraction'
0:13:35 > 0:13:41that that offers is sort of the sacrifice one makes for the worship
0:13:41 > 0:13:46because the music in worship is such a significant part.
0:13:47 > 0:13:55# Amen. #
0:17:09 > 0:17:13I do find icons are a wonderful way of spreading the word of God.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19If you go abroad to places like Greece, everybody has them
0:17:19 > 0:17:22hanging in the cars, in the coaches,
0:17:22 > 0:17:25in shops and obviously in the churches.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27Marcella's love of icons
0:17:27 > 0:17:30has inspired her to learn how to paint them.
0:17:32 > 0:17:36It takes a long time to settle down. It might be an hour or two hours.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41It's just very peaceful. I put on my beautiful music...
0:17:42 > 0:17:45..and I find it very soothing.
0:17:45 > 0:17:51And an icon is more than just a work of art, it's steeped in symbolism.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53The icon represents God's creation.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56First of all, we use everything from nature.
0:17:57 > 0:18:03The wood is used to represent the ark and then we put on a cloth,
0:18:03 > 0:18:06which represents the shroud.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10And then put on layers of gesso, which is ground rock.
0:18:11 > 0:18:16Then we make the paints - it's called a pigment - using the yolk of an egg.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20There's a special way of preparing that and you can add water
0:18:20 > 0:18:22and a little wine or vodka, or...
0:18:22 > 0:18:25Depending on which part of the world you're in.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27It acts as a preservative.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31So, everything is taken from nature,
0:18:31 > 0:18:34painted an icon, and then this is for the glorification of God.
0:18:35 > 0:18:39Choosing which icon to paint is not an easy decision.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44The designs, particularly when you're starting,
0:18:44 > 0:18:49are taken from traditional patterns, so we use a lot of Byzantine.
0:18:49 > 0:18:55There are many types because some come from Egypt, Russia and Greece.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58When you're a beginner as I am,
0:18:58 > 0:19:00although I've been doing it for ten years,
0:19:00 > 0:19:02there's a lot to learn.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06It's changed me.
0:19:06 > 0:19:10I never felt I was very good at praying but for me now,
0:19:10 > 0:19:12it is a prayer.
0:19:16 > 0:19:21An icon doesn't have any perspective. There are no shadows.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23We're, like, looking into heaven, really.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27This is not an Earthly thing and I think with prayer -
0:19:27 > 0:19:32especially when you see them in churches with the candles and music -
0:19:32 > 0:19:37it's taking us off our Earthly plane, really.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01Singers from all over Stratford
0:22:01 > 0:22:04raising the roof here at Holy Trinity Church,
0:22:04 > 0:22:07where Shakespeare was baptised and buried,
0:22:07 > 0:22:09and worshiped with his parents.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13And today, writers are still being inspired by Stratford,
0:22:13 > 0:22:17including our very own modern-day poet David Raeburn.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23I was always - when I studied and even at school before that -
0:22:23 > 0:22:25fascinated by Shakespeare,
0:22:25 > 0:22:28the way he was able to encompass the whole world in his works
0:22:28 > 0:22:31and the way it attracted so many people
0:22:31 > 0:22:34and different people found different answers and questions
0:22:34 > 0:22:37in what he'd written and it is just beautiful.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39So, I came to Stratford and made friends here
0:22:39 > 0:22:42and it became my base, my home.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45David's latest project is a modern-day sonnet
0:22:45 > 0:22:48inspired by the 2012 Olympics.
0:22:48 > 0:22:52I was thinking about what a wonderful opportunity it is
0:22:52 > 0:22:55for people to think about the world coming together
0:22:55 > 0:22:58in the most literal sense and we do it, we do it for the Olympics,
0:22:58 > 0:22:59we welcome the world here,
0:22:59 > 0:23:02the countries come together not to fight and to argue,
0:23:02 > 0:23:05but to honour each other and to be friends in peace and love,
0:23:05 > 0:23:07and I wrote this song about that,
0:23:07 > 0:23:10inspired by the Olympics and the song goes on to say,
0:23:10 > 0:23:14as well as being strong, hopeful, as well as the joy,
0:23:14 > 0:23:16"Why can't we do this all the time?"
0:23:16 > 0:23:20'David decided to involve the local Church of England primary school
0:23:20 > 0:23:22'in recording and performing the song.'
0:23:22 > 0:23:26'I thought who better to bring this message of peace and hope and love
0:23:26 > 0:23:29'and the hope for a better tomorrow than the future - the kids.'
0:23:29 > 0:23:33# Can you feel the dawning of a bright new sun?
0:23:33 > 0:23:37# Now is the time to come together as one... #
0:23:37 > 0:23:39'The words teach the children an awful lot'
0:23:39 > 0:23:42in terms of how they should live as good Christians.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44# Hold out your hand
0:23:44 > 0:23:47# With a welcoming smile
0:23:48 > 0:23:51# We honour each other
0:23:51 > 0:23:54# With warmth and with style... #
0:23:54 > 0:23:57Talking about rising above trouble and torment
0:23:57 > 0:24:00and loving one another, living in peace and harmony.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04# Any trouble and torment
0:24:04 > 0:24:07# We can rise above... #
0:24:07 > 0:24:11'And the children will soon have a chance to share the song's message.'
0:24:11 > 0:24:14We're absolutely thrilled because we've been asked to go along
0:24:14 > 0:24:18and sing our song in front of the audience
0:24:18 > 0:24:20who are watching the Olympic torch
0:24:20 > 0:24:22going through one of our local villages.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25# By doing our best
0:24:25 > 0:24:29# And surviving the test
0:24:29 > 0:24:32# By showing our worth
0:24:32 > 0:24:35# In front of the rest... #
0:24:35 > 0:24:38'We're excited that every single child from the age of four to 11
0:24:38 > 0:24:40'can be involved in this project'
0:24:40 > 0:24:44and that's why it's important to us, so that we in Stratford-upon-Avon
0:24:44 > 0:24:46can feel that we are closer to those Olympics
0:24:46 > 0:24:48that are going on in Stratford, East London.
0:24:48 > 0:24:54# And we can run rings around this world. #
0:24:54 > 0:24:58Shakespeare has spoken to so many people for so many years,
0:24:58 > 0:25:00in so many different ways,
0:25:00 > 0:25:04it's amazing to look back and think that one man created so many ideas,
0:25:04 > 0:25:07the words that have gone into our language...
0:25:07 > 0:25:08Just to say Romeo and Juliet -
0:25:08 > 0:25:13a whole story suddenly arrives in your head and one man created that.
0:25:13 > 0:25:14It's beautiful.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20# Shall I compare thee...
0:25:20 > 0:25:22# Ooh-ooh-ooh
0:25:22 > 0:25:25# ..to a Summer's day?
0:25:26 > 0:25:28# Thou art more lovely
0:25:28 > 0:25:31# Ooh-ooh-ooh
0:25:31 > 0:25:34# And more temperate
0:25:34 > 0:25:36# Ah-h-h
0:25:36 > 0:25:42# Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May
0:25:42 > 0:25:44# Ah-h-h
0:25:44 > 0:25:51# And Summer's lease hath all too short a date
0:25:51 > 0:25:56# So long as men can breathe
0:25:56 > 0:26:00# Or eyes can see
0:26:00 > 0:26:03# So long lives this
0:26:03 > 0:26:04# And this
0:26:04 > 0:26:09# This gives life to thee
0:26:11 > 0:26:13# Sometime too hot
0:26:13 > 0:26:15# Ooh-ooh-ooh
0:26:15 > 0:26:19# The eye of heaven shines
0:26:19 > 0:26:22# And often his gold
0:26:22 > 0:26:24# Ooh-ooh-ooh
0:26:24 > 0:26:28# Complexion dimm'd
0:26:28 > 0:26:29# Ah-h-h
0:26:29 > 0:26:35# And every fair from fair sometimes declined
0:26:35 > 0:26:37# Ah-h-h
0:26:37 > 0:26:44By chance or nature's changing course untrimm'd
0:26:44 > 0:26:49# So long as men can breathe
0:26:49 > 0:26:53# Or eyes can see
0:26:53 > 0:26:56# So long lives this
0:26:56 > 0:26:58# And this
0:26:58 > 0:27:02# This gives life to thee
0:27:04 > 0:27:11# But thy eternal Summer shall not fade
0:27:11 > 0:27:14# Nor lose possession
0:27:14 > 0:27:22# Of thy fair thou owest
0:27:22 > 0:27:27# So long as men can breathe
0:27:27 > 0:27:31# Or eyes can see
0:27:31 > 0:27:33# So long lives this
0:27:33 > 0:27:35# And this
0:27:35 > 0:27:40# This gives life to thee
0:27:40 > 0:27:44# So long as men can breathe
0:27:44 > 0:27:48# Or eyes can see
0:27:48 > 0:27:51# So long lives this
0:27:51 > 0:27:53# And this
0:27:53 > 0:27:59# This gives life to thee
0:27:59 > 0:28:02# Ooh-ooh-ooh
0:28:04 > 0:28:10# Ooh-ooh-ooh. #
0:28:14 > 0:28:19'Father, we give you thanks for all who enrich our lives
0:28:19 > 0:28:21'with their creative talents.'
0:28:21 > 0:28:24'We thank you for music makers, playwrights and poets
0:28:24 > 0:28:28'who enlarge our understanding and give us new knowledge.'
0:28:29 > 0:28:34'We thank you for artists who create beautiful lasting memories.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37'Use their gifts in your service
0:28:37 > 0:28:39'Amen.'
0:28:43 > 0:28:48# May the road rise to meet you
0:28:48 > 0:28:54# May the wind be always at your back
0:28:54 > 0:29:02# May the sunshine warm upon your face
0:29:02 > 0:29:10# And rains fall soft upon your fields
0:29:10 > 0:29:16# May the road rise to meet you
0:29:16 > 0:29:23# May the wind be always at your back
0:29:23 > 0:29:31# May the sunshine warm upon your face
0:29:31 > 0:29:38# And rains fall soft upon your fields
0:29:38 > 0:29:43# And until we meet again
0:29:43 > 0:29:47# Until we meet again
0:29:47 > 0:29:50# May God May God hold you
0:29:50 > 0:29:58# In the palm of his hand
0:29:58 > 0:30:03# And until we meet again
0:30:03 > 0:30:08# Until we meet again
0:30:08 > 0:30:09# May God
0:30:09 > 0:30:13# May God hold you
0:30:13 > 0:30:19# In the palm
0:30:19 > 0:30:29# Of his hand. #
0:30:33 > 0:30:36Well, as we prepare to say goodbye to Stratford-upon-Avon,
0:30:36 > 0:30:41there is time for one final hymn from Holy Trinity Church.
0:30:41 > 0:30:45Based on the Magnificat, it's a modern version of Mary's song -
0:30:45 > 0:30:46Tell Out My Soul.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12'Next week, David explores the origins
0:33:12 > 0:33:16'of some of the most soulful of all songs of praise - spirituals
0:33:16 > 0:33:19'and introduces some of the best-loved,
0:33:19 > 0:33:21'performed by the Adventist Vocal Ensemble,
0:33:21 > 0:33:23'Tessera and Jeharna South,
0:33:23 > 0:33:27'and finds out why they continue to resonate with people today.'
0:33:45 > 0:33:48Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd