Most of the programming was part of a strand titled the World Shakespeare Festival , which included translations , adaptations , and re-workings of Shakespeare 's plays . Programming themed around the plays of William Shakespeare was a major part of the '' London 2012 Festival '' . It was produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company and sponsored by the Arts Council , BP and Lottery with about 60 participating organisations including the BBC , British Museum , National Theatre , the Barbican Centre , the Almeida Theatre and Shakespeare 's Globe . This festival began on 23 April 2012 and finished in November 2012 . It included approximately 70 productions related to Shakespeare 's plays , over half of which were performed in a language other than English ( particularly those which formed part of the Globe to Globe Festival at Shakespeare 's Globe ) . Shakespeare also featured in the BBC 's ' Shakespeare Unlocked ' 2012 season ( particularly '' The Hollow Crown '' and in the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony . The World Shakespeare Festival also included the Worlds Together Conference , an international interdisciplinary conference exploring the role of Shakespeare and arts learning in young people 's lives . At the grass roots and with the support of the performers ' union , Equity , many events occurred around the country , not least the première of a new play entitled Shakespeare 's Queen Elizabeth the Second , which was also performed in Stratford-upon-Avon and open air celebration of Shakespeare in , literally , John O'Groats and many locations south . Equity-backed events also occurred in London , for young people and school children , every two months from 2010 – 2012
2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony
2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony
2012 Cultural Olympiad