King’s Lynn Town Guides’ annual lecture at St George’s Guildhall to feature comedian Robert Armin who was key actor in Shakespeare’s plays

King’s Lynn Town Guides’ annual lecture this year features a key comedy actor in Shakespeare’s plays.

The guides’ Diana Bullock Memorial Lecture will focus on Robert Armin on Wednesday, March 18 in Shakespeare Barn at St George’s Guildhall.

Armin was born in Lynn in 1565 and a plaque on Lynn’s High Street commemorates his birthplace.

Tim FitzHigham, creative director of St George’s Guildhall Theatre and a multi-award-winning comedian himself, will shed new light on Armin’s life and his time with Shakespeare.

Tim is currently working on the country’s only PhD on Armin at the Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Town Guides’ chairman Paul Allford said: “While we all know about Shakespeare and his probable visits to Lynn, it is not commonly known that one of our own was so involved in his works.

“Why not come along and learn more about this son of Lynn and a key figure in Shakespeare’s plays? The venue is just yards from Armin’s birthplace and a location he would have known well.”

King’s Lynn Town Guides was set up in 1977 by keen individuals who took it upon themselves to learn about the detailed history of the town so they could provide tours to both the local population and visitors alike.

Since then, the organisation has grown into a formally trained and badged group with similar aims to those early pioneers.

Diana was the founder and first chairman - a role she served in for ten years.

All the guides are volunteers who have given up a year of their time to train to earn their badge. They come from a range of backgrounds but have a common love for the town.

They wish to share their enthusiasm with others to raise the profile of the town among the wider population and beyond.

Tickets cost £10, including a glass of wine, and can be booked online at https://www.kingslynntownguides.co.uk/annual-lecture, or at King’s Lynn Tourist Information Centre. Alternatively, phone 01553 776632.