Span Arts present outdoor Shakespeare at Lampeter House: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Span Arts is delighted to announce that The Festival Players Theatre Company returns to the enchanting setting of Lampeter House, to celebrate another year of outdoor Shakespeare.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is the tale of four young lovers who find themselves wrapped in the dream-like arms of an enchanted forest where sprites lurk and fairies rule. While a feuding Fairy King and Queen are at war, their paths are crossed by Bottom, Quince and their friends presenting a play within a play. Chief mischief-maker Puck is on-hand to ensure that the course of true love is anything but smooth, and games of fantasy, love and dreams ensue in Shakespeare’s most beguiling comedy.
The Festival Players, patronized by Dame Judi Dench, have amassed 60 years’ combined experience of professional touring theatre, and are set to bring mirth and mayhem to their performances of Shakespeare’s most colourful comedy this summer. Now on their 36th Annual tour, the spirited Gloucestershire-based group bring A Midsummer Night’s Dream to over 50 venues from abbeys to amphitheatres across the UK and beyond.
Span Arts is a community arts charity that is driven by the core belief that the arts have the power to improve people’s lives and act as an agent for Social Change in West Wales. Based in Narberth but with a reach across the county, Span Arts has made a significant contribution to the arts in Pembrokeshire over the past 30 years.
Presenting Shakespeare at Lampeter House takes the classic work outside of the traditional theatre infrastructure and opens up this beautiful and unusual venue to the wider public.
Lampeter House, located in the village of Lampeter Velfrey, just outside Narberth, provides the perfect setting for outdoor Shakespeare, with a small amphitheatre-style theatre built into the beautiful grounds of this lovely estate.
Michael Dyer, artistic Director of The Festival Players, and former director of Cornwall’s Minack Open Air Theatre, says: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream is always the favourite Shakespeare for open-air production with its wonderful combination of fantasy, fairies and magical fun.”
The inimitable Festival Players aim to make Shakespeare accessible to all. Dyer explains,“Our shows are never longer than two hours and we always try to make them crystal clear – we
aim to take the audience on a journey and make them feel part of the production.”
Music will be specially written by folk star Johnny Coppin (front man of the cult Seventies folk-rock group Decameron). Coppin adds a special ingredient with his original songs and instrumentals involving all the cast.
The performance will be open-air, and audience members are welcome to bring their own seating. A wide range of delicious refreshments will be available at the bar, which will be stocked with locally-sourced foods.
Tickets are now available to book at span-arts.org.uk, or call 01834 869323.
As this is outdoor theatre, the audience is encouraged to be prepared for any weathers, as the show will go on come rain or shine. This is a popular event; advance booking is recommended to secure your place.
The venue is wheelchair accessible and tickets are free for carers. Please emailmarketing@span-arts.org.uk to let us know your access needs upon booking.
For more information about the Festival Players, please visit: https://thefestivalplayers.co.uk/
Date: Friday 19 August 2022
Time: Grounds open 6pm, show starts 7pm
Pricing: Adults £15.00, Concessions £12.00 Children £6
Location: Lampeter house, Lampeter Velfrey, near Narberth