To the uninitiated, St George’s Day is England’s national day and falls on April 23rd. You would be forgiven for not being familiar with the date; St Patrick’s Day is an annual bank holiday in Ireland, the Scots get a day off to celebrate St Andrew’s Day, but St George’s Day hasn’t been a national holiday for the English since England united with Scotland in 1707.

This doesn’t stop us celebrating, though. While people go to work as normal, the day is marked up and down the country with parades, dancing and the moderate waving of the flag of the Cross of St George. Some people even manage to wear a red rose on their lapel and “Jerusalem” can be heard echoing from churches in every corner of the land. Army regiments especially celebrate the day, in gratitude for St George’s support for English troops on the battlefield. New knights to the Garter are announced on St George’s Day by the Queen, the Patron of the Royal Society of St George.

This year, St George’s Day falls on a Sunday so there will be more opportunity for national celebration, including a rally in Trafalgar Square. The day is officially the first day of the camping season for Boy Scouts throughout our green and pleasant land and many people will be taking to the countryside for Morris dancing, wellie tossing, Shakespeare-themed hog roasts and medieval shenanigans of all kinds.

Our St George’s Day show at Brick Lane Music Hall is a celebration of the English and some of our heritage, with plenty of comedy, and a characteristically modest amount of national flag waving. Take a day off work – or come to one of our special weekend shows. Saturday 22nd April – evening show with dinner and dancing. Sunday April 23rd – matinee show with afternoon tea.

The St George’s Day Show 22nd April – 5th May.