Summer of Shakespeare

I have the absolute pleasure of working on the movement for not one but two Shakespeare plays being performed outdoors this summer and you can book tickets by clicking on the poster.

Stafford Festival Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice directed by Oliver O’Shea which is performed at Stafford Castle from Thursday 27 June to Saturday 13 July.

'All that glisters is not gold'

The privileged heiress Portia is seeking a husband by unconventional means: a suitor merely has to solve a little puzzle to win her hand in marriage. Spendthrift Bassanio longs to be considered by Portia, but how can he impress her, when he is so reckless with the money he borrows? If his close friend Antonio can lend him no more money, who else might be willing to lend a sum on his behalf? And at what cost...?

In this thrilling new production, Shakespeare's controversial masterpiece is transported to 1950s New York, a city where communities are divided by wealth and religion. Featuring the iconic figure of Shylock, one of Shakespeare's most complex characters, The Merchant of Venice is a compelling story of money, love, and prejudice.

Petersfield Shakespeare Festival’s The Comedy of Errors directed by Becky Hope-Palmer which is performed at Bedales School from Wednesday 17 July to Monday 22 July.

‘I to the world am like a drop of water 
That in the ocean seeks another drop’

When two sets of identical twins, separated at birth, unknowingly end up in the same city, a series of chance meetings leads to confusion, chaos and comic carnage. In true Shakespearean fashion, nothing is quite as it seems, and mistaken identity abounds. Will Antipholus and Dromio succeed in their quest to re-unite their families? Will anything ever make sense again?  Sit back and enjoy this vibrant retelling.