A Warwickshire Lad: The Story of the Boyhood of William Shakespeare

In this vivid portrait of a 16th‑century Warwickshire childhood, listeners are invited into the modest world of a young William growing up on Henley Street. The narrative follows his brisk walks home at dusk, the chatter of his grandmother, and the lively household that shapes his early sense of wonder. Simple moments—like the crackle of a hearth, a mischievous magpie’s cry, and whispered warnings of “witches”—paint a picture of a community steeped in folklore and routine.

Through the eyes of a five‑year‑old, the story captures the boy’s budding curiosity about language, performance, and the people who pass through his village taverns. As he listens to traveling players and mimics their speech, the seeds of the playwright’s imagination are gently hinted at, offering a charming glimpse of the experiences that would later fuel his legendary works.