Outdoor theatre takes centre stage

JESMOND Dene will be transformed into regency England this summer as an open-air show creates the elegant world of Jane Austen.

Pride & Prejudice is to launch a new season of Heartbreak Productions’ zany outdoor theatre shows as the popular company returns to Newcastle for the 15th year.

In all, it will host 12 performances of four shows this summer against the backdrop of the dene, and first Austen’s classic will bring along Mr Darcy and the Bennet sisters – and even the Prince Regent – from 7.30pm on July 5 and 6.

And to ensure that audiences meet the requirements of high society, they will receive an etiquette lesson too, from The Association of Higher Etiquette and Manners ahead of their evening of comedy and romance.

Next on Heartbreak’s programme will be Shakespeare’s comedy Much Ado About Nothing which is being transferred to a war-theme setting with the addition of a Red Cross “play within a play”. And there will be masquerade ball, ukulele interludes and a side narrative to add a few extra twists too. Performances of this will be on July 18 and 19 at 7.30pm.

Then comes another classic tale – Edith Nesbit’s The Railway Children. Said to be one for all ages, audiences at its performances - at 6.30pm on July 20; 2pm and 6.30pm on July 21 and 5pm on July 22 - may well be invited to take participate.

In August, the Newcastle season will be wrapped up by The Midnight Gang, based on David Walliams’ children’s book, with performances taking place at on August 24 at 6pm; August 25 at 2pm and 6pm and August 26 at 5pm. Visit heartbreakproductions.co.uk