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Chester Performs - Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre Thursday 7th July - Sunday 21st August - As You Like It
By William Shakespeare - Merlin and the Woods of Time By Glyn Maxwell
GROSVENOR PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE 2011
Presented by Chester Performs
Thursday 7th July – Sunday 21st August
AS YOU LIKE IT by William Shakespeare
MERLIN AND THE WOODS OF TIME by Glyn Maxwell
MAJOR NEW THEATRE PRODUCTION IN CHESTER
Following the hugely successful debut in 2010, Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre returns to Chester this summer with two new high quality productions of Shakespeare’s As You Like It and new play by Glyn Maxwell, Merlin and the Woods of Time.
Described by the critics as ‘idyllic’ and ‘impressive’, the unique, custom-built theatre is the only one of its kind outside of London and is fast gaining a reputation for quality and excellence.
The two productions will be performed in ‘rep’ with a cast of some of the country’s finest actors, designers and directors. Cast member credits include Royal Shakespeare Company productions and work at Regents Park Open Air Theatre.
The season opens on 7th July with the perfect choice for summer, Shakespeare’s classic comedy As You Like It, made even more magical in the beautiful surroundings of Chester’s Grosvenor Park.
As You Like It will be directed by Nikolai Foster, described as “one of the country's most promising young directors” and recently taken up post as Associate Director at The West Yorkshire Playhouse. Born in Denmark and brought up in North Yorkshire, Foster directed A Christmas Carol at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre and A Streetcar Named Desire at Theatre Clwyd as well as the UK tour of The Witches Of Eastwick. He has worked all over the world, including projects in Europe, The Middle East and South East Asia, and is returning from directing an ambitious outdoor performance of Macbeth in Singapore as part of the Shakespeare In The Park programme there.
Running alongside As You Like It is new play Merlin and the Woods of Time, written by award-winning poet and dramatist Glyn Maxwell. Merlin and the Woods of Time will receive its World Premiere on Thursday 14 July.
Maxwell has been described as “the best dramatic poet of a generation” and has won several awards for his poetry, film, radio, opera and theatre writing, including the coveted EM Forster Prize, whose previous winners include Seamus Heaney and the Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy. He was, he says, “delighted to be asked to write the play for The Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre. It's a magical and enchanting venue which is perfect for Merlin.”
Directed by the season's Artistic Director Alex Clifton, Merlin and the Woods of Time will be a light-hearted and fast-paced comedy, set backstage at a jousting tournament, and will feature many characters from the great Arthurian legend including Lancelot, Arthur, Guinevere and of course, Merlin himself.
Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre is the only full time professional open air theatre company outside London. Last year’s debut season attracted 6,000 visitors and proved to be a major tourist attraction for the North West. Grosvenor Park is a family-friendly venue and the ideal spot for a summer picnic.
ENDS
As You Like It
Thursday July 7th 7.30pm
Friday July 8th 7.30pm
Saturday July 9th 2pm
Saturday July 9th 7.30pm
Wednesday 13th July 7.30pm
Saturday 16th July 2pm
Saturday 16th July 7.30pm
Tuesday 19th July 7.30pm
Thursday 21st July 7.30pm
Friday 22nd July 7.30pm
Sunday 24th July noon
Sunday 24th July 5pm
Wednesday 27th July 7.30pm
Friday 29th July 7.30pm
Saturday 30th July 2pm
Saturday 30th July, 7.30pm
Tuesday 2nd August 7.30pm
Thursday 4th August 7.30pm
Saturday 6th August, 2pm
Saturday 6th August, 7.30pm
Wednesday 10th August, 7.30pm
Friday 12th August, 7.30pm
Sunday 14th August, noon
Sunday 14th August, 5pm
Tuesday 16th August, 7.30pm
Wednesday 17th August, 7.30pm
Saturday 20th August, 2pm
Saturday 20th August, 7.30pm
Sunday 21st August, noon
Sunday 21st August, 5pm
Merlin and the Woods of Time
Thursday 14th July, 7.30pm
Friday 15th July, 7.30pm
Wednesday 20th July, 7.30pm
Saturday 23rd July, 2pm
Saturday 23rd July, 7.30pm
Tuesday 26th July, 7.30pm
Thursday 28th July, 7.30pm
Sunday 31st July, noon
Sunday 31st July, 5pm
Wednesday 3rd August, 7.30pm
Friday 5th August, 7.30pm
Sunday 7th August, noon
Sunday 7th August, 7.30pm
Tuesday 9th August, 7.30pm
Thursday 11th August, 7.30pm
Saturday 13th August, 2pm
Saturday 13th August, 7.30pm
Thursday 18th August, 7.30pm
Friday 19th August, 7.30pm
Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre, in the heart of Chester’s beautiful Grosvenor Park, is one of only two full time professional open air theatre companies in the country. It was launched in 2010 to rave reviews, and is built around an intimate, purpose built picnic theatre, with picnic terraces with space to spread yourself out.
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