On Shakespeare's birthday, theatre embarks on epic world tour Shakespeare's Globe theatre on Wednesday launched a two-year world tour of Hamlet that will visit every single country on earth. Sixteen men and women will travel by boat, train, jeep, tall ship, bus and aeroplane across seven continents, performing in a range of venues – from village squares to palaces and beaches. The launch of the tour was timed to coincide with the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth. Images and soundbites.