Open Air Shakespeare
Played in the Open Air on the Cedar Lawn within the Moat with the mellow red tudor brickwork of the House as a backcloth.
The GB Theatre Company
The GB Theatre Company is British-based classical theatre company formed in 2010. It is dedicated to producing plays that can be played both indoor and in the open air. They present plays with a full cast of experienced (and some distinguished) actors with limited doubling up. They present their plays in Elizabethan costume (which is very acceptable at Tudor Kentwell).
The company played at Kentwell, their first season, lin 2011 a very impressive Merry Wives of Windsor with an outstanding Falstaff ably supported by an excellent cast and also As You Like It with excellent all round playing and as good a fight scene as you'll ever see.
The cast
We are promised another excellent and experienced cast. I'm particularly pleased to see the return for a third year at Kentwell of Gabriel Thomson whom many may know as Michael Harper in My Family. He is a most accomplished player but I remember him most for playing the young boy so memorably in that impressive film Enemy at the Gate, an unusual film in capturing well the essence of the seige of Stalingrad. It'll be interesting to see what he makes of Romeo but he certainly looks the part. He is also Sebastian, Viola's twin, in Twelfth Night.
The Costumes
Review
The Tour of Romeo & Juliet opened at Trinity College in Dublin in early June and attracted full houses. Here is an extract from a review of that performance
“Things got off to a rollicking good start on Wednesday night with a bawdy and brazen production of Romeo & Juliet performed al fresco, under the aegis of Neil Sheppeck…”
“….a cracking, handsome cast acquitted themselves remarkably well in what transpired to be a surprisingly feel good affair – mounting body count notwithstanding.”
“Gabriel Thomson made for a suitably earnest, conflicted Romeo and found a natural chemistry with Lucy Wray’s defiant Juliet, while laughs came thick and fast courtesy of Sioned Jones’s earthy, lumbering nurse and Joel Sams’ swaggering Mercutio.”
“Little wonder the capacity crowd rose to its feet in applause as the curtains fell…” Daragh Reddin, Metro-Herald
“A lovely addition was some gregorian-chant style hymns sung off stage by the company not on stage during parts of the play. Some of the actors also played some (presumably) Elizabethan music while the audience were getting settled and again during the performance to good effect.” Claire Bradley, Dublin Culture
Seats
Two Front Rows in front of the Stand NOT under cover
Raised Stand Seats under cover comprising three Front Rows and additional rows behind. The best views are at the front. The most protected (from driving rain) at those behind.
Groundlings on the grass between the seats and the stage. Bring your own rugs and cushions but no raised seats.
Romeo & Juliet - Play
Saturday 23rd July at 7.45pm
Sunday 24th July at 3.00pm
What can one say about Romeo & Juliet ? It must be amongst Shakespeare's best known plays with almost everybody having some idea of the plot - and yet. I must not say too much as some years ago when we were presenting this play there was a very loud 'Oh, no', at a critical turn in the plot, when someone in the audience who clearly was coming to the play for the first time, realised what was happening. It is a very affecting play but also some excellent comic moments especially with the Nurse.
Romeo & Juliet Prices
On the Night Prices
| Tickets | Saturday | Sunday |
| Seated Front Rows under cover | £25.00 | £22.00 |
| Seated other rows under cover | £24.00 | £20.00 |
| Seated Front Rows NOT under cover | £21.00 | £18.00 |
| Groundling (rugs & cushions only no raised seats) Adult | £19.00 | £16.00 |
| Groundling (rugs & cushions only no raised seats) Child | £15.00 | £12.00 |
Book by telephone or online in advance to enjoy discounted prices. See on-line booking for today's prices. Prices may vary from day to day.
Further group discounts for parties of 15 or more. For details call the Estate Office on 01787 310207
The Performances
Gates open at 6.30pm for the evening performance for those of the audience who wish to arrive early to enjoy the Gardens or set up their picnics. The play starts at 7.45pm. There will be two Acts with a one hour supper interval in between when the Gardens are floodlit. The evening performances will end at about 11.15pm. Gates for afternoon matinee open at 2.00pm for those who want to enjoy the Gardens before the show. The matinee will end at about 5.45pm
Catering
For evening performances the audience may bring picnics, tables & chairs and as much other paraphernalia as they can carry and may set up anywhere in the Gardens much of which will be floodlit after dusk. Some choose to have their picnic (or part of it) before the performance starts. Others only during the interval and some have part before, part in the interval and even part afterwards. For the matinée there is a much shorter interval.
Kentwell Suppers (3 courses + coffee £17.50 incl. vat) in the Undercroft (or outside if fine) may be booked in advance. The first part of the supper is served before the play starts, pudding and coffee are served in the Interval.
Picnic Tables
Kentwell has a number of picnic tables of various sizes (for 4, 6 or 8 persons with integral seating) for hire which must be booked in advance.
Details
| Time |
7.45pm (3.00pm Sunday Matinee)
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| Where |
Cedar Lawn
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| Date |
Saturday, 23 July 2011
Sunday, 24 July 2011
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| Children Tickets |
Children aged 5-15, under 5's are free.
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