Park strife as Bard plays return to city
A right royal battle will commence in a city park after it’s been announced that the popular Plays in the Parks series will return to Sunderland this summer.
Due to lack of funding, the series –which sees Shakespearean classics and other plays performed in parks in the city –was unable to take place last year.
But Sunderland Libraries has stepped in as a core funder for Theatre Space North East’s productions, which attract thousands of audience members across the series.
Their return this summer will see performances of Henry V from July 18-21 at Roker Park; The Tin Soldier from August 10-11 at Mowbray Park and Comedy of Errors from August 29 to September 1 at Barnes Park.
Corinne Kilvington, artistic director at Theatre Space North East, which has been staging the series since 2012, said: “We have a patchwork of funding and we lost various different pots last year, which meant we couldn’t even afford to pay our actors or pay for the costumes, which was a huge shame.
“I cried when I realised we couldn’t afford to stage it last year and I cried again, with relief, when I found out Sunderland Libraries would be a core funder this year, meaning we could bring it back. I was over the moon.
“All our actors are professionals and this is a great opportunity for emerging actors, as well as more established actors, to perform Shakespeare, which they don’t get to do very often.”
Performances take place each evening throughout the run and audiences, young and old, follow the actors around the park as they perform the plays on the move.
Corinne added: “In good weather we get 200-300 people coming along each night, and even in the rain we get around 150 people.
“There’s something quite beautiful about 150 people watching Shakespeare in the rain. Each year we get new faces coming along, but also people who come back time and time again, which is wonderful.”
Coun John Kelly, Sunderland City Council Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture, said: “Sunderland Council are pleased to be able to support Plays in the Park providing opportunities for everyone to become involved in a fun and interactive experience and the works of Shakespeare through a local theatre company. The city has a real wealth of literary and creative talent and it’s only right that we should celebrate that,”
Entry is free but there is a suggested donation of £10.
“I cried with relief when we received the funding” CORINNE KILVINGTON