The Festival line-up for 2012

The line-up will be announced in early 2012. Please contact us if you would be interested in submitting an application.

The Festival line-up from 2011

A Midsummer Night’s Dream
The Lord Chamberlain’s Men
27 May, 7.30pm
Brandon Hill Bowling Green

The UK’s most acclaimed open-air touring theatre company, The Lord Chamberlain’s Men, will present William Shakespeare’s most popular and hilarious comedy, the magical feast A Midsummer Night’s Dream! A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a play that has delighted audiences for almost 400 years and is regarded by many to be Shakespeare’s funniest and most popular play. This is the perfect opportunity to see Shakespeare performed in the way the Bard first envisioned it…with an all-male cast!

Please note this production is outdoors, bring your own picnic-rug or low-backed seating and suitable clothing for all weather conditions. Picnics welcome.

Ticket prices: £14.50 Adult / £8.50 Children

To book call: 0117 9020344 or www.tobaccofactorytheatre.com

Romeo & Juliet
GB Theatre Company
30 June – 2 July, 7.30pm (Matinee 2 July, 3pm)
Blaise Castle Estate Dairy Garden

Romeo and Juliet is the most famous love story in the world. Dressed in Elizabethan costumes and performed in the beautiful gardens of Blaise Castle, come and witness swordfights, forbidden marriage and of course, the amazing verse poetry and prose of the ‘star-crossed lovers’.

GB Theatre Company are delighted to announce that Neil Sheppeck, who is one of the country’s most exciting young directors and runs the theatre company, Love&Madness, will be directing Romeo & Juliet for GB Theatre Company this year and who we think is a perfect choice as he is so passionate about the play.

GB Theatre Company are only a year old yet already boast critical acclaim for their debut productions of As You Like It and Merry Wives of Windsor last summer. That tour starred ‘tv personalities’ Stacey Roca (The Office, Waking the Dead), Matt Milburn (Hollyoaks) and Gabriel Thomson (My Family, Enemy at the Gates) and this year’s cast looks to be as star-studded with Gabriel Thomson returning to the company to play Romeo.

To learn more about Romeo and Juliet and GB Theatre, please visit http://www.gbtheatrecompany.com/

Ticket prices: 30 June– 1 July: £15 Adult / £10 Concessions (U16 and OAP), 2 July: All tickets £15

To book call 01753 714 000

Lear 1864 – Trail of Tears
Full Tilt
6-9, 14, 15 July 7pm (Matinee 9 July, 1 pm)
Ashton Court Gardens

It is 1864, during the American Civil War, and newly retired General Lear decides to divide his mammoth estate, once belonging to the Navajo Nation, amongst his three daughters. This act sets in motion a great storm of truth, consequences, dispossession, and loss which Lear must face head on. Haunted by his actions and his horrific past made present – Lear discovers a painful truth among the natives he once deceived.

The performances are outside in the gardens so audiences should be dressed and prepared for all weather conditions and are encouraged to bring their own seating. The production contains scenes of violence so parents should accompany any children under 18.

Ticket prices: £9 adult / £6 child & concession

To book call: 0117 929 9008 or visit www.bristolticketshop.co.uk

(only cash payments accepted for on the door tickets)

MACBETH
Oddsocks
15 – 16 July 7.30pm
Dairy Garden, Blaise Castle Estate

By the pricking of my thumbs…..

….something funny this way comes!

Shakespeare’s darkest of dark tragedies is given the Oddsocks treatment and as Oddsocks can make a comedy out of anything, be prepared for spine tingling, eye popping, rib tickling hilarity – lots of witches! lots of laughs!

Expect this battle against good and evil to be a physically exciting spectacle based on the bard’s original text of course, complete with power hungry rulers, mad wives, sword fights, wandering stilted witches, walking trees, blood, wigs, music, dancing and lots of audience participation.

Please bring picnics, rugs/garden seating and some warm clothes for if it gets chilly!!

Ticket prices:
In Advance: Adults £16, Conc. & Child £10
On the Door: Adults £18, Conc. & Child £12

To book visit:  www.oddsocks.co.uk/theatre

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW
Heartbreak Productions
20 – 21 July 7.30pm
Ashton Court Gardens

Performed in the great outdoors, Heartbreak Productions celebrates its 20 year anniversary by revisiting this hilarious comedy – The Taming of the Shrew – which was its very first open air production.

Everyone wants to marry Bianca, but Bianca isn’t free to marry until her shrewish sister, Kate finds a husband.  Through a series of introductions the challenge of taming Kate falls to Petruchio and a battle of wills ensues …

It should be noted that not every Kate says yes to her prince so readily!

We recommend you come with family, friends and a mouth watering picnic.

Ticket prices: £12.50 Adult/£10.00 Concession/£8.50 Child (5-16yrs)

To book visit: www.heartbreakproductions.co.uk/database/ashton-court

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
Knives out at The Folk House
20 – 23 July 7.30pm
Bristol Folk House Garden

The head of Athens studios ‘Duke’ Theseus is preparing for his marriage to Hippolyta but all around them is in chaos. The ‘arrangement’ between two young stars has been upset by the discovery of an illicit relationship with a different man. The ambitious efforts of the supporting cast to impress the powers that be and rise to greater fame seems doomed to failure. It is up to fixer, trickster and go-to man Robin Goodfellow to set everything to rights.

While staying true to Shakespeare’s text, this production is set in the magical world of early cinema, playing with darkness and light in a world where not everything is black and white. An intimate outdoor performance in the walled courtyard garden of The Folk House on Park Street uses film and live performance to tell one of Shakespeare’s liveliest and best loved comedies.

Ticket prices:  £10 adults, £7 concessions (Over 60s, children under 16, Folk House Co-op members)

To book visit The Folk House or call 0117 9262987

JULIUS CAESAR
Thrice Three Muses
20 – 23 & 27 – 30 July 7.30m
Amphitheatre at Boiling Wells

A re-imagination of Shakespeare’s classic Julius Caesar – set in the mythical Amazonian tribes.

When the god-like Caesar is offered the crown of Rome, the warlike women of the state turn on their leader - in a bold move which results in civil war.

Caesar’s two good friends, Brutus and Antony come head-to-head to decide the fate of the land they live in.

Gritty, political drama with a fantastical twist.

Ticket prices: £7 Adult / £5 Conc.
(U16s, Equity Members, Students, St. Werburgh’s Residents)

To book call: 01179227375 or visit http://thricethreemuses.webs.com/Tickets.html

TWELFTH NIGHT
Hecate Theatre
20 – 23 July
St. Alban’s Church Hall

Described as ‘unique, thought-provoking but hugely enjoyable,’ all-female theatre company, Hecate Theatre, present their third show – relocating Shakespeare’s story of twins separated at birth to a 1930s nightclub, owned by the play’s Count Orsino and with Olivia as the star singer.

Featuring live music, gangsters, knife-fights, innovative staging, gorgeous costumes and moustaches of varying naturalism, Hecate Theatre’s vibrant retelling of this much-loved comedy will undoubtedly be a night to relive twelve times over at least!

Ticket prices: £8 Adult  /  £6 Conc.

To book: www.hecatetheatre.co.uk

Wells Community Youth Theatre present:

A Double Bill of:

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
27 – 28 July 8pm
Alma Tavern Theatre

In the intimate setting of the The Alma Tavern Theatre the Wells Community Youth Theatre presents a magical story of mischief and love.

With an Oberon and Titania straight out of Brief Encounter and a healthy helping of dancefloor classics, our modern take on this much told tale will be a night to remember.

Ticket price: £5
To book visit: www.almataverntheatre.co.uk

HAMLET
29 – 30 July 8pm
Alma Tavern Theatre

Well’s Community Youth Theatre’s adaptation moves away from the background of war torn Norway and brings Hamlet to England.

We focus on the simple story of a young boy, locked in grief, touching on issues relating to drug use, family betrayal and moving towards an ending of unyielding violence and sadness.

Ticket price: £5
To book visit: www.almataverntheatre.co.uk

TWELFTH NIGHT
Taking Flight Theatre Company
27 July, 7.30pm
Blaise Castle Estate Dairy Gardens

Taking Flight Theatre Company, the UKs only integrated outdoor Theatre Company, comes to Bristol with Twelfth Night, a bittersweet comedy about cross-dressing, ship-wreck, love, mistaken identity, trickery and  a girl who finds herself at the centre of a bizarre love triangle.

A ‘bright and funky’ promenade, outdoor performance with live music and supported with British Sign Language throughout.

Accessible for wheelchair users.

Please note -This is  a promenade performance so please wear sensible shoes and be prepared to move around.  Picnics will need to be eaten before the show commences.

Ticket prices: £12 Adult / £7 Conc. And U16 / £30 Family ticket (at least 1 adult)
PAs for disabled audience members- Free

To book call: 07785 947823 or www.takingflighttheatre.com

TWELFTH NIGHT
Created by Illyria
28 July, 7.30pm (Gates open at 7pm)
Bristol Zoo Gardens

Following a shipwreck, Viola is washed ashore in Illyria, a country where everything is illogical, delirious, and completely topsy turvy. It could all end in tears – even if most of them are of laughter.

Illyria presents an evening of romance, music and sheer and utter joy, performed on a stage inspired by those of the mediaeval touring troupes.

Ticket prices: £13.50 Adult / £6.50 Children / £33.50 Family / Group / Concession £11.50

Ticket prices on the door: £16 Adult / £8 Child / £40 Family / Group / Concession £14

Members’ ticket prices (advance only): £11.50 / Child £5.50 / Family £28

To book call: 0117 974 7300 or www.bristolzoo.org.uk