Outdoor Shakespeare at The Courts

Bike-powered travelling players, the HandleBards, return to the Courts Garden in Holt this June to present their unique take on two of Shakespeare’s best known plays.

The HandleBards are a four-strong, all-male, theatre troupe who travel around the UK on bicycles, performing Shakespeare at outdoor venues as they go.

This year, the 400th anniversary of the Bard’s death, sees them embark on their most ambitious season yet, ‘4 for 400’, as they and a new all-female group perform four of Shakespeare’s greatest plays between them.

The all-male troupe will be visiting The Courts Garden, to play ‘Richard III’ on Tuesday 7th June and ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ on Wednesday 8th June. Shows start at 7pm, but gates open at 6pm and visitors are encouraged to bring a rug and a picnic and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the garden before curtain up.

“It’s great to welcome the HandleBards back to the Courts Garden,” said Jane Stephenson Ingram, National Trust Visitor Experience Co-ordinator.

“The garden provides an ideal backdrop for their quirky interpretation of the plays. It also gives our visitors the rare opportunity to enjoy the sights and scents of the garden in the evening light.”

Tickets for the HandleBards are available over the phone by calling 0844 249 1895 or online at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/the-courts-garden  Booking is essential. Adult tickets are £15.00, child tickets are £12.00.

The Courts Garden is looked after by the National Trust and is open to visitors from February to October, Thursday to Tuesday, 11am to 5.30pm. On Thursdays in June, the garden stays open until 9pm. Normal admission applies.