Take to the stage

Jul 15 2008 by Natasha Wynarczyk, The Journal

IT'S a British summer so who needs a roof? Natasha Wynarczyk offers a guide to this season’s outdoor theatre.

THEATRE-LOVERS with a cynical streak may have looked at last week’s monsoon moments and thought they could only mean one thing – the season of the alfresco stage show is upon us.

But dodgy weather – along with the occasional stray dog or noisy peacock – is surely part of the fun of theatre in the open air. It all harks back to the travelling players who would set up their stage on the village green and perform for whoever was passing.

Nowadays Britain boasts some highly accomplished outdoor theatre companies and their services are much in demand from local authorities and the guardians of historic gardens and monuments.

Looking at it all from a wholly uncynical viewpoint, what better way to spend a summer’s evening than with a tasty picnic and a decent show to watch in beautiful surroundings?

This year we can choose from productions of Shakespeare to contemporary versions of fairytales. Obviously, as performances are outdoors, the weather can be unpredictable. Extra layers of clothing and emergency waterproofs are recommended.

Cancellations are rare but they can happen if the weather conditions are particularly adverse and potentially dangerous. Here are some of the best outdoor theatre performances due to take place in the North East this summer:

Heartbreak Theatre Company, set up by Newcastle University graduate Peter Mimmack in 1991, returns to the North East after five years of staging well-attended performances.

In 2004 they fell victim to torrential rain, postponing performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. But when the show finally did go ahead, the moistness in Jesmond Dene made for a suitably magical atmosphere.

Last year the company, based in Leamington Spa, celebrated a roaring success with more than 2,000 people attending performances in the field next to Pets’ Corner.

Their 2008 Jesmond Dene season begins with their new production of Peter Pan (July 18-20) which is said to be suitable for people aged five to 95 with plenty of audience participation.

Then come Henry V (July 23-25), A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream (July 26 and 27) and Charley’s Aunt (July 31 to August 3).

Tickets can be bought at Northern Stage on (0191) 230-5151 or on www.quaytickets.com

Charley’s Aunt can also be seen at Belsay Hall on July 30. Tel. (01661) 881636. Henry V will be staged at Warkworth Castle on July 31. Tel. (01665) 711423. For more information visit www.heartbreakproductions.co.uk or www.english-heritage.org.uk

:: Oddsocks Productions, based in Derbyshire, are known for their accessible interpretations of classic texts.

Past shows include Wuthering Heights, Hamlet and Jane Eyre, but this year they will be performing Shakespeare’s comedy Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Elli Mackenzie and Andy Barrow, at Dilston College, Corbridge, on July 17-19. Wandering minstrels will serenade the audience while offering refreshments. Tel. (01434) 652477 or visit www.oddsocks.co.uk

:: Chapterhouse Theatre Company, based in Lincoln and currently in their ninth season, are to stage A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream at Kirkley Hall, Ponteland, on July 18. Tel. (01670) 841235.

This will be followed by a special indoor performance at the Gala Theatre on July 22. Tel. (0191) 332-4041.

They will perform Sleeping Beauty at North Marine Park, South Shields, on August 2. Tel. (0191) 454-1234 – and at the Macdonald Linden Hall Hotel, near Morpeth, on August 25. Tel. (01670) 500000. For further details, visit www.chapterhouse.org.

:: The National Trust and English Heritage are also hosting outdoor theatre programmes in beautiful surroundings.

The former have recruited award-winning company Illyria, based in London, to perform Pinocchio, featuring a 25ft shark, at Gibside on July 31 (tel. 01670 773-939) and Wallington on August 24 (tel. 01670 773-939).

A fun day out for the family would be the performance of Pinocchio at Gibside on July 31 which is preceded by a puppet-making workshop.

Meanwhile Shakespeare fans might enjoy Bard at the Beacon, a performance of The Merry Wives of Windsor set against the dramatic backdrop of Souter Lighthouse on July 16. Tel. (01670) 773939.

To find out more visit www.illyria.uk.com or www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Illyria are also to perform The Merry Wives of Windsor at Paxton House, near Berwick, tonight (01289) 386291.

The company’s production of The
Hound of the Baskervilles can be seen at Wallington on July 25, Raby Castle, near Barnard Castle, on August 2 (01670 773-939) and Gibside on August 17.

As well as hosting performances by Heartbreak, English Heritage will
have a one-off performance – at Belsay on August 29 – of The Winter’s Tale by the aptly named Rain or Shine Theatre Company, based in Gloucester.

Visit www.rainorshine.co.uk for more information or tel. (01661) 881636 for tickets.