Puppets, plants and plays at an ‘urban oasis’
WITH a huge array of plants, the Botanic Garden at Oadby is a beautiful place to visit.
This summer, there are more reasons to discover this hidden gem as the attraction will be hosting a selection of events, from Indian dancing to outdoor theatre performances.
The University of Leicester’s College of Life Sciences, Attenborough Arts Centre and the Friends of the Botanic Garden have come together to collaborate on a series of events which will enable the public to enjoy a range of activities in the stunning surroundings of the gardens.
Highlights of the programme include a free performance of Indian dancing, presented by Sajan Odedra, with music by Nitin Odedra, from 1pm until 5pm on Sunday.
This will be followed by the Antiques Roadshow’s Lars Tharp giving a talk, organised by the Friends of the Botanic Garden, from 6pm on Saturday, June 3, entitled Gilding the Lily, about the depiction of plants in ceramics. Tickets are £15 are can be bought via Eventbrite.
Meanwhile, the Botanic Garden’s longstanding annual plant sale and family day returns on Sunday, July 2, with specialist plant sales, free children’s and family activities, music, entertainment and refreshments as well as stalls and demonstrations about arts, crafts, ecology and wildlife. Entry for adults is £5, with children free.
Open-air theatre comes to the gardens on Thursday, July 13, with a
production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night by Duke’s Theatre Company, promoted by Attenborough Arts Centre. Tickets are from £16.50 for concessions.
The centre will also produce a special Birdsong musical concert, with local artists Lucy Stevens and Rishii Chowdhury on tabla, responding sensitively to the sounds of seasonal birds.
In addition, Leicester theatre company Enter Edem will present Ugly Bugs Wingding, a family puppet show inspired by insect life.
Then in September, a huge range of hands-on activities and entertainment for all ages will feature in the University Vice Chancellor’s autumn party at the garden. Details for this free community event will be announced soon.
Professor Tom Robinson, chair of the University of Leicester’s Botanic Garden Board, said: “The Botanic Garden is a key focal point for the communities of Leicester, Oadby, Wigston and surrounding areas and we wanted to expand our summer programme this year to appeal to a wide cross section of audiences, some of whom may never have visited this urban oasis.
“From Shakespeare to Indian dancing, antiques to family friendly events, there’s something for everybody to enjoy at the Botanic Garden this summer.”
Anne Court, chief executive of Oadby and Wigston Borough Council, said: “We’re really pleased to be supporting the University, Attenborough Arts Centre and the Botanic Garden in bringing this high-quality programme of events to Oadby and Wigston.
“We have a real diversity of cultures and interests in our borough and these events offer something for everyone. We’re really excited about the summer ahead and I encourage local people to get out and support these events as much as possible.”
The University of Leicester is working in partnership with Oadby and Wigston Borough Council as part of the Civic University Agreement to promote the events across the Borough. For more details of the programme, visit the Botanic Garden events page and the Attenborough Arts Centre website.
RANGE OF EVENTS ANNOUNCED FOR