I want our audiences to have The Arches Theatre in their diary as their annual outing so they can continue enjoying the eclectic season of live theatre and music that we bring to our outdoor stage.
"For me, outdoor theatre is a sociable, fun and entertaining experience!"
It draws you into another place and time, taking you away from your normal life, if just for a few hours. Being outdoor allows the whole dynamics of a performance to change, making it more immersive and interactive for both the audience and the actor, and giving it added impact. I've seen lots of fun audience participation (don't let this put you off) which has been great as this excitement and energy help gives an extra sense of enjoyment and escapism.
The Arches is a little hidden gem within the Buckinghamshire countryside. When people find it, they continue to return. They love the novelty of being outdoors, somewhere unexpected, rustic and quirky, and not having to pay through the nose for such a wonderful and different experience.
The experience starts before the show even begins. We invite our audiences to bring a picnic and relax with it in our beautiful parkland with friends and family, before sitting down to a fantastic live performance by some truly brilliant acting companies.
All these elements are part and parcel, to me, which is why outdoor theatre is one of the best experiences you could have. There's still lots more to come this summer, including:
ABBA Sensation - Friday 12th August (a handful of tickets left)
Richard Digance - Saturday 13th August
Dan Evans 'Guitar and Dulcimer Concert' - Sunday 14th August
The Wet Mariners - 'Love's Labour's Lost' - Saturday 20th August
DOT Productions - 'The Jungle Book' and 'Pygmalion' - Sunday 21st August
British Touring Shakespeare - 'The Merry Wives of Windsor' and 'Dracula' - Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th August
Milton Keynes Theatre of Comedy - 'Ripping Yarns' - Thursday 1st - Saturday 3rd September
The show will go on whatever the weather! There is always a gamble with the British weather, but there is something quite charming and appealing about that! So, come and escape with us this summer and enjoy fantastic theatre at our quirky outdoor theatre near Milton Keynes.
We hope you can join us.
Until next time ...
DAVID PIBWORTH
Would you like to know more?
If anything I've written in this blog post resonates with you and you'd like to discover more about outdoor theatre at The Arches Theatre, it may be a great idea to give me a call on 07879 414110 and let's see how I can help.
David is the owner and Artistic Director of The Arches Theatre in Clifton Reynes near Milton Keynes. Productions are underneath some flood arches on the disused Midland railway line (Bedford to Northampton). It is equidistant from Bedford, Northampton and Milton Keynes. You bring your food, drink and chairs and enjoy the varied shows that are produced. This year - 2022 - there are 12 productions on throughout the season, from Shakespeare to Ripping Yarns plus a music weekend.
David has been involved in 'Light Ent' for many years, working with Ray Galton and Alan Simpson adapting the scripts of 'Steptoe and Son' and those of Tony Hancock to the stage. He has produced shows for Norman Wisdom (which makes him feel old), Al Murray, and Joe Pasquale amongst others, and also worked in the music business promoting and producing shows with Chas and Dave, Neil Inness, Kenny Ball, Acker Bilk and others of that ilk.
He is also the director of a film school for young people in his home town of Olney as well as supporting many local events.
He recently negotiated permission from Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais to stage a short run of 'Porridge' on stage which proved a success.
This year the annual charity performance at The Arches Theatre will be the last of 'Ripping Yarns' by Michael Palin and Terry Jones, with the profits being donated to The National Brain Appeal' for research into dementia as David's father and uncle died of it, as did Michael Palin's friend and writing partner Terry Jones. Last year they raised an astonishing £10,000 and are hoping to get somewhere close again with the support of audiences and sponsors.
David also has a stage hire company and his wife Julie runs a livery yard, so they are surrounded by horses, dogs, light entertainment and and a 17 year old daughter.
He plays in a comedy jazz band and collects strange props such as the Spitting Image puppets of Denis Thatcher and Alan Bennett, the child catchers bike from the stage show of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and various other 'things' all of which he sells to raise money for the Arches Theatre, although he always finds it hard to part from these props. However as the theatre receives no funding at all, he is always devising ways to keep it going! Sponsors are always welcome!
no unauthorised use, duplication, distribution or modification to any original content contained within this blog is permitted without prior written permission of the author. All other trademarks and registered names are acknowledged.
