easyJet, the UK's largest airline, will entertain tens of thousands of passengers jetting off this Easter with live theatrical performances of Shakespeare plays at airports across Britain.

The free performances will take place at easyJet check in areas throughout the week to promote a campaign to make 23 April national 'William Shakespeare Day'.

Actors will perform extracts of the Bard's most famous works in costume, including Romeo and Juliette, Macbeth and A Midsummer Night's Dream. easyJet is aiming to collect thousands of signatures in favour of a national Shakespeare Day as part of the promotion - with 3000 passengers signing up in Gatwick Airport alone.

Paul Moore, Communications Director for easyJet said:
"William Shakespeare is Britain's most famous author so easyJet is proud to back the bid to make 23 April his national day. We are asking our UK passengers to sign the petition while suggesting to those from the rest of Europe that they visit the land of Shakespeare to learn more about him and see his works performed.

"As well as staging free Shakespearean performances at airports across the UK this month, our campaign will run in our in-flight magazine and on thousands of seat back adverts."

Earlier this month easyJet unveiled a special edition Shakespeare plane, with a ten foot image of the bard on the fuselage. The airline is aiming to collect 100,000 signatures to take the petition to parliament and celebrate the famous playwright's birthday with an official day in the British calendar.

Nadhim Zahawi, MP for Stratford-upon-Avon who is supporting easyJet's campaign, said:
"Is it a Bard, is it a plane? William Shakespeare is one of Britain's greatest gifts to the world, 'he was not of an age, but for all time', and I have long argued this sceptre'd isle should celebrate April 23 as a national holiday. I'm delighted that easyJet have chosen to campaign on this issue."

Performances are taking place at Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Manchester, Edinburgh and Bristol. For more information about the campaign and to sign the petition, please visit www.easyJet.com/ShakespeareDay

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