VISITORS can enjoy Shakespeare’s most famous tale of love and loss at The Courts Garden in Holt with a twist; Romeo and Juliet on bicycles on Saturday 17th August.
Visitors can expect a high-octane performance of cunning schemes, love sickness and cross-dressing, courtesy of the innovative young theatre company Peculius.
The National Trust garden will host the The HandleBards, a four-strong, all-male troupe of travelling players, who are pedaling from Glasgow to London, performing Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and ‘Twelfth Night’ along the way.
All set and props used in the productions are restricted only to items that would genuinely be found either on a bicycle or in a campsite, with the team’s bikes being rigged up to power various contraptions onstage.
To add to the challenge, The HandleBards, who are supported by the Old Vic Theatre, carry all the equipment on their bikes on the 926 mile journey, with no back-up vehicle in support. They will cover a distance equivalent to that between Land’s End and John O’ Groats.
The four HandleBards will play multiple characters in a play set in the 1930’s, fully engaging show-goers with some unusually energetic audience interaction.
Jane Stephenson Ingram, visitor experience co-ordinator at The Courts Garden said, “Outdoor theatre is always an enjoyable experience at The Courts Garden. The arboretum is the perfect spot for picnics and to enjoy outdoor theatre, and the beautiful surroundings create a great atmosphere. It is a rare chance for visitors to experience the garden in the evening.”
The performance starts at 7.00pm, doors open from 5.45pm for picnics. Please bring picnics and rugs/low backed seating. Performance will go ahead in all but the worst of weather.
Tickets: £12 adults, £8 children, ‘under 5s’ go free. Booking is essential (fees apply) via 0844 249 1895 or online national trust.org.uk/courts-garden.
Pictured: The cast, left to right: Tom Dixon, Paul Moss, Callum Cheatle, Fergus Leathem. Picture: Callum Cheatle.
