The world's most celebrated playwright will be returning to the stage this summer with events up and down the UK.

The Globe, London, opens its 2009 'Young Hearts' theatre season on Thursday 23rd April with romantic tragedy Romeo & Juliet, which will be preceded with a free event on Bankside at 6pm as part of Shakespeare's birthday celebrations. Tickets for the show are in high-demand with some nights already sold out. The Frontline will be shown from 5th May, which will be followed by As You Like It from 30th May.

The Royal Shakespeare Company, based in Stratford-upon-Avon will be showing A Winter's Tale as part of their Summer Season, following Julius Caesar from 15th May. Complete with a new ensemble, the actors continue summer with As You Like It before transferring to Newcastle in autumn.

Laying their scene in fair Verona - sorry, perhaps not - will be the Northern Ballet Theatre as they perform a dance adaptation of lovers Romeo & Juliet later this year. Touring through Bath (12-16 May), London (21-23 May), Manchester (27-30 May) and Norwich (23-27 June), the universally-acclaimed performers will deliver a vivid, romantic yet spine-tingling show.

An Open-Air Theatre series in London's Regents Park will play host to Much Ado About Nothing (25-27 May, £30) and The Tempest (6-28 June, £30) as part of a series of plays and live music events.

The Rain Or Shine Theatre Company will be performing The Taming of the Shrew all over the country at a variety of natural and historical sites. Places like Old Wardour Castle (Wiltshire), Slimbridge Wetland Centre (Gloucestershire), Hergest Croft Gardens (Hertfordshire), Myrtle Farm (Somerset), Bryngarw Country Park (Glamorgan), Mount Grace Priory (Yorkshire) and Belsay Hall and Gardens (Northumberland) are just a few of the venues on their comprehensive tour during June and July.

For more details regarding all venues and ticketing, see details below.