Shakespeare plays have always been central to The Arches Theatre's summer schedule, not only because we are huge fans of the Bard but also because our quirky outdoor theatre is the perfect backdrop ...
Some great Shakespeare productions to choose from at The Arches Theatre this summer!
The Wet Mariners were the first theatre company to perform on our outdoor stage in 2018 with 'As You Like It'. Each year we've continued to stage this professional troupe's fun, ingenious and inventive take on Shakespeare's work, including 'Romeo and Juliet', 'The Comedy of Errors' and 'Twelfth Night'.
The Wet Mariners began working together during their third year at LAMDA and continue to come together each year to perform Shakespeare to sell-0out audiences!
2022 marks the 10th year of The Wet Mariners and we're delighted that they will be joining us again this year with their revival performance of 'Love's Labour's Lost' - the very first production performed by The Wet Mariners back in 2012.
Don't miss their revival of this play in the only way they know how - with fun, energy and much laughter on Saturday the 20th of August at 2pm and 7pm. Book your tickets here.
Debuting at The Arches this summer we have Berkhamsted-based theatre company, Shakespeare Circus, with its vibrant and spellbinding adaptation of 'The Tempest' on Friday the 22nd of July at 7.30pm.
Shakespeare's late, great gem, widely believed to be the last full play that he wrote alone examines the power of true love, our capacity for vengeance and what it takes to forgive.
The production is set to become a favourite for all the family with its cast of colourful characters, original musical score, madcap romps, high comedy and tender love. You will be spellbound by the magic of the wizard Prospero, enchanted by the music of the tropical island and you are guaranteed to have a really good laugh with the comic leads. An evening not to be missed so book your tickets here.
Our last Shakespeare production on our open-air stage is The Merry Wives of Windsor performed by British Touring Shakespeare on the 27th and 28th of August at 3pm. This hilarious romp sees the women of Windsor gain the upper hand in a bawdy battle of the sexes with the drunken knight Sir John Falstaff. This classic farce is guaranteed to make for an unforgettable evening of laughter enjoying outdoor theatre at its very best.
Since 1999, British Touring Shakespeare has delighted audiences all around the world with critically acclaimed productions that are fresh, energetic and accessible. Book your tickets here.
Some great Shakespeare productions to choose from and we're very excited for all our performances this summer. Don't forget we have much more going on during our 2022 summer run so do check out our What's-on page for full details.
We hope to see you all very soon.
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 Shakespeare at The Arches Theatre, it may be a great idea to give me a call on 01234 241357 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!
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