Sculptor pays homage to the Bard with gift of 'Young Will' to Shakespeare's town

Stratford-on-Avon District Council is kicking off its celebrations of Shakespeare's 400-year legacy with a generous gift from a talented benefactor in the world of creative arts.

Acclaimed sculptor Lawrence Holofcener's life-size, bronze figure of a young William Shakespeare looks set to attract residents and visitors alike. The sculpture depicts the Bard in his prime, one foot on a bench and his arm outstretched in welcome – an invitation to take a seat or pose for a picture with Stratford-upon-Avon's most famous son.   

Standing in the lovely Bancroft Gardens, the River Avon and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre provide a perfect backdrop for 'Young Will' to become part of the town for posterity.   

Speaking after Cabinet approval to accept and install the statue, Cllr Mike Gittus, Chairman of Stratford-on-Avon District Council, said: “We are delighted to accept this generous and impressive gift to Stratford-upon-Avon from an artist of such renown. As we seek ways to ensure the celebration of Shakespeare's life and works continues here for future generations, our cultural offering is greatly enriched by innovative art installations like this.  We look forward to seeing people of all ages, from all over the world, stop to admire and engage with 'Young Will'.

“We are particularly pleased to welcome Lawrence Holofcener and his wife Julia, who have travelled from their home in the USA to unveil the statue in person." 

Mr Holofcener said:  “Seeing 'Young Will' in such a beautiful setting in Shakespeare's town means a great deal to me. All the more rewarding is that it is finally happening in this 400^th anniversary year of his passing.  Presenting my work to you is the best 90^th birthday gift I could wish for and I hope it brings great pleasure."

The man behind the work has a rich and varied career in the arts. Born in Maryland, USA, in 1926, and celebrating his 90th birthday on 23 February, Holofcener has enjoyed great success writing songs and musical theatre for the likes of Sammy Davis Jnr. and as an actor on Broadway alongside Carol Channing and Ginger Rogers. He is an accomplished artist, and also pursues a literary career, compiling rhyming and British-English dictionaries, writing novels, poetry and lyrics.  

Sculpture came late, with his first exhibition at age 51. It was followed by many shows, awards and commissions, among them his unique 'Faces of Olivier' portrait of the incomparable actor in 1985 at the Chichester Theatre.  His very human portraits of Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt, 'Allies', which shows the two great leaders seated informally on a bench, in conversation, has become a London landmark.

Holofcener explained his inspiration for 'Young Will': “The Shakespeare project began in 2011 with a commission from a London group planning to erect a theatre in Shoreditch, modelled after the original Burbage Theatre.  I was to place the Bard seated on a bench, much like 'Allies'. However, I completed a maquette with Shakespeare not seated but with one foot on a bench, welcoming visitors to his theatre.  The theatre project never reached fruition, but I decided to proceed with the portrait. 

“My life-size bronze Bard is not the old balding fellow depicted by painters after his death, but young, virile and handsome.  I put him in his early 30s when he wrote Romeo & Juliet."

Creative Media students from Stratford-upon-Avon College captured the unveiling of 'Young Will' in a filming project they are completing and, as an added bonus, Art students from the College will have a chance to hear more from the expert when he gives a guest lecture about his work and the creation of the figure. It is also hoped that he will spend time with students, discussing their own projects and ambitions.

The Holofceners are both US and British citizens and are self- confessed Anglophiles, having lived and worked for many years in the Isle of Wight.

They will spend several days in Shakespeare's Stratford as guests of the Arden Hotel in the heart of the town.