Comeback Unique show ‘full of fun’ for live theatre’s return
AGLOUCESTERSHIRE theatre is bouncing back from an enforced Covid-19 break with an “outlandish” outdoor play.
The Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury has weathered the pandemic storm and is now open once more.
Like all theatres and cinemas, the Sun Street-based venue had its income slashed by lockdown but it is fighting back with an ambitious new programme for the post-covid era.
On June 24 its bosses are promising an exceptional opening night for a specially commissioned play. They say their outdoor production of Almost A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be “outlandish” and have audiences laughing out loud.
It will take place in Victoria Gardens, which are alongside the River Avon in Tewkesbury, just a short walk from the theatre.
Directed by Tewkesbury’s Colin Smith, the play has been written exclusively for The Roses by actor and playwright Nick Wilkes. He grew up near Tewkesbury and has a long connection with the theatre.
His work has been performed in many theatres around the country, including The Other Place, home of the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-avon.
The story develops as award-winning theatre writer and director Humphrey Deforest Brassington-jones arrives in Tewkesbury alone because his travelling troupe, with scenery and costumes, are stuck on the M5 after an accident.
In the best showbusiness tradition,
Humphrey is determined that the show must go on and Tewkesbury must not be deprived. So, rather than deny his audience, he announces that he will play every part himself. However, Jack the council gardener and Ms Anneka Drable (a tweedy professor of English literature and medieval history) have other ideas and decide to “help”. What could possibly go wrong?
Almost A Midsummer Night’s Dream reflects The Roses’ optimism and ambition as it recovers from the effects of the pandemic.
The team says that not many theatres of its size are able to commission and stage unique productions of this quality.
Jess Brewster, The Roses’ director, said: “It’s been a really tough year but thanks to the furlough scheme, grants from Arts Council England and no small measure of grit and determination displayed by the whole team, we’re still standing.
“We felt that the end of lockdown required a special celebration and, for us, that means live theatre.
“Christmas was challenging but we managed to stage a pared-back panto called Almost A Christmas Carol until restrictions required us to stop. It was such a hit with those who did manage to see it that a summer version of
Almost made perfect sense. Our new
Almost is full of fun and humour, which is just what we all need right now.
“We hope that people will bring a picnic and their favourite bubbles and celebrate both the end of lockdown and midsummer with us in the beautiful setting of Victoria Gardens on the banks of the River Avon.”
The play will run from June 24 to July 4.