British cat launches new Shakespeare-themed train in Moscow

In May, the Moscow metro launched the Shakespearean Passions Train together with the British Council to commemorate the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death. For the second edition, which was unveiled yesterday, the Moscow metro invited a very special guest to be the first passenger — a British Shorthair cat in an Elizabethan ruff.

The Shakespeare-themed train is decorated with biographical information on the playwright, quotations from his best known works, and equipped with several “selfie-points” for those who want a picture with Shakespeare. And since all Moscow metro trains offer free wifi, a special game is also available for download on your phone.

The choice of the feline was inspired by a portrait of Shakespeare with a similar-looking cat, as well as the unusual fact that cats are mentioned over 40 times in his works.

The train will run on the Filovskaya line of the Moscow metro until 24 November.