Bermuda is set to mark the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death through a series of events tied to the legendary playwright.

Shakespeare wrote numerous poems and dozens of classic plays, including The Tempest, which is said to have been inspired by William Strachey’s account of the wreck of the Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609 and the subsequent conflict between Sir George Sommers and Sir Thomas Gates.

Written between 1610 and 1611, The Tempest tells the story of a shipwreck on a remote island and the conflict between the survivors, including King Alonso of Naples, and the sorcerer Prospero, who conjured the storm that sunk the ship.

The play references Bermuda by name, mentioning “the still vex’d Bermoothes” in the first act. It is generally believed to be one of the last plays written by Shakespeare before his death. While the play did not receive much attention at the time of its premiere in 1611, it has subsequently become one of Shakespeare’s more popular works, inspiring operas, novels, poems and films, including the 1956 science fiction classic Forbidden Planet.

In recognition of Shakespeare’s death in 1616, a host of events are scheduled to take place locally and internationally.

Last night, the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts hosted the “Spring into the Arts Shakespeare Festival”, featuring entertainment and art by Bermuda’s schoolchildren.

In June, the Bermuda Musical and Dramatic Society will bring to life one of Shakespeare’s best-known comedies, The Taming of the Shrew, as part of its Shakespeare in the Park series, which in past years included performances of Macbeth at Fort Hamilton and Much Ado About Nothing in Victoria Park. Emma Muggleton, the drama chairwoman at BMDS, said: “We wanted to do something that is lighter than the well-known tragedies and something that hasn’t been done in Bermuda in a while and The Taming of the Shrew seemed to be the natural choice. ”

Performances are scheduled to take place between June 23 and July 2, and casting for the production is expected to take place in the second week of May.

In October, the island’s high school students will again take to the stage as part of the annual Bermuda Shakespeare Schools Festival, with schools tackling a range of different shows by the playwright.

Local restaurants are also getting in on the festivities. Tonight, The Tempest restaurant in St George’s is hosting a Shakespeare night, complete with a four-course, wine-pairing dinner highlighting the settings of Shakespeare’s plays and interactive performances by Haunted History. Meanwhile, the Hog Penny Pub is celebrating the playwright all month with its “Shakespeare’s Whole Hogge Special”.

Those who wish to see a display of Shakespeare’s written works or rent copies of his plays or sonnets can do so at the Bermuda National Library, which also boasts an extensive collection of Shakespeare’s work adapted for film.

It has also been announced that Bermuda’s connection to Shakespeare will be highlighted in Britain this weekend through the Complete Walk, an event being held in both Liverpool and London.

In both locations, participants will enjoy a scenic, celebratory walk throughout the city interspersed with the chance to see 37 short films detailing Shakespeare’s works.

One of the films, focusing on The Tempest and starring British actor Douglas Hodge, was filmed in Bermuda.