Theatres are set to embrace the great outdoors this year
From the majesty of Shakespeare’s Globe to plays in the street, outdoor theatre is set to blossom this summer. A whole host of alfresco shows have been lined up from May, according to listings’ site WhatsOnStage.
Many theatres “went dark” during the pandemic but the natural ventilation system of the great outdoors could have a big appeal to theatregoers looking to ease their way back in.
Shakespeare’s Globe, which has no roof over the central yard, has revealed its season will begin with a Midsummer’s Night’s Dream on May 19. It will run until October 30 at the London venue.
In line with social distancing measures, performances will feature limited audience capacity for an initial period.
Artistic director Michelle Terry said: “To even be announcing a season means that we are inching ever closer to getting back to doing the thing that we love, the thing that the Globe was built for, and the thing that so many of us, artists and audience alike, have lost during this time: sharing time, space and story with as many people as is safe. This is a historic moment, and not to be underestimated; we have a long way to go as we emerge and heal from this, but theatre can help us get there: that’s what it’s for. To express the often inexpressible, bear the often unbearable, laugh, cry, be – safely – together. The readiness is all and Shakespeare’s Globe is ready.”
Meanwhile, Norfolk & Norwich Festival 2021 has been specially adapted to include free outdoor and socially-distanced performance, art and music as well as a digital strand.
Highlights include a show for families inside the historic prison cells below Norwich Guildhall, sci-fi dance show Future Cargo from artists Requardt and Rosenberg, and The Band Wagon. Work will be taken on the back of a truck to communities who can’t reach the festival, which runs from May 17 to 30.
C-O-N-T-A-C-T Manchester and Salford is also taking art to the streets from May 18 to June 29.
The show, which will be based at Salford Quays and in central Manchester, features immersive sound design experiences, with audiences utilising headphones to follow performers around the outdoor location. Spectators download the audio onto an app and watch along in realtime.
A more traditional outdoor show will be staged in the grounds of Harewood House, Leeds over the weekend of September 3 to 5. Singer Alfie Boe will headline with special guests on the Friday, while Aled Jones and friends will perform The Great Yorkshire Proms, alongside The Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra, on the Saturday. The curtain will be brought down on Sunday after a symphonic performance of Queen’s greatest hits.
But if you want to visit one of England’s crown jewels of outdoor theatre then why not try the Minack Theatre by the sea in Porthcurno, Cornwall? It has a jam-packed season of music and play planned over the coming months. Its first show will be Then Come the Nightjars by Bea Roberts on May 17.
To find out more about any of these events visit www.whatsonstage.com.