Did you know, during the summer month weekends, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s outdoor theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, The Dell, plays host to a range of lively productions that you can watch?
Now in its 14th year, The Dell is situated on the banks of the River Avon in Avonbank Gardens, near Holy Trinity Church. The performances vary from lively student, community and semi-professional productions
So throughout weekends in July and August why not grab a picnic and enjoy a bit of Shakespeare and summer sun? Full details about the productions happening can be found below.
Saturday 2 July 1pm and 4pm & Sunday 3 July, 12 and 3pm
Twelfth Night
Performed by The Boaty Theatre Company
A swashbuckling adventure of love, life and mistaken identity. Featuring a live pirate band, a fearsome, yet lovable Pirate Queen, a fool and lots of fun for all the family, The Boaty Theatre Company breathe new life into one of Shakespeare’s most-loved comedies.
Sunday 10 July, 12 and 3pm
The Tempest Performed by Gobstoppers Shakespeare’s Circus
A spellbinding open air production of The Tempest, set for the open air stage and performed by the vibrant Shakespeare Circus Theatre Company, the production is set to be a fun favourite for all the family with its cast of colourful characters, original musical score, madcap romps, high comedy and tender love.
Saturday 16 July, 1pm and 3pm
Hamlet and Macbeth Performed by The BRIT School
1pm (Hamlet)
Hamlet is a teenager. He struggles to talk about his feelings, he contemplates the existence of God, is misunderstood by his girlfriend, distrusts his mother and stepfather, shouts about the injustices of the world, sits alone and thinks. A contemporary version that deals with suicide, mental health and murder.
3pm (Macbeth) In Medieval Scotland war rages and Macbeth leads the Scottish Army to victory. When supernatural forces present him with a prophecy, he and his wife start down a dark path, questioning their options, their morality and their ambitions.
Sunday 17 July, 11.30am and 1pm
The Merchant of Venice and Romeo and Juliet Performed by The BRIT School
11.30am (The Merchant of Venice)
Set in South Asia, we explore themes of arranged marriage and religious prejudice. Antonio, a prejudiced merchant, takes a loan from Shylock to help his friend to court Portia. Antonio can’t repay the loan, and Shylock demands a pound of his flesh.
1pm (Romeo and Juliet) Two football teams, both alike in dignity, in fair Selhurst, where we lay our scene. A retelling of the most famous love story.
Saturday 23 July, 12pm and 3pm and Sunday 24 July, 12 and 3pm
Henry the Thorth Performed by: Partners Rapt
A fast-paced, comic abridgement of Henry IV Part 1, which mashes up Shakespeare’s original text with the characters and settings of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. A collision between Shakespeare’s historical masterpiece of rebel princes, drunken rogues and domineering kings and the multiverse of Marvel.
Saturday 30 July, 12pm and 3pm and Sunday 31 July, 12pm and 3pm
A Midsummer Night’s Dream Performed by Sweet Sorrow Theatre
The party to celebrate Duke Theseus’ wedding is fast approaching, but for some of his courtiers, it is the night before that shall haunt their dreams forever. With warring fairies, foolish mortals and a troop of rude mechanicals, this Midsummer’s eve promises to be one to remember. Featuring a cast of talents from Stratford-upon-Avon, Sweet Sorrow Theatre Company presents a fast-paced take on Shakespeare’s Classic Comedy, filled with laughs, mischief and magic.
Saturday 6 August, 12pm and 3pm and Sunday 7 August, 12 and 3pm
Timon of Athens Performed by Rendered Retina
Ever heard of Timon of Athens? Neither had we! But do not fear, with instruments, hats and a big box on wheels, we have everything we need to put on the grandest retelling of Shakespeare’s least-talked about play. With live music and original songs, 3 performers portray 18 characters and attempt to cement this forgotten gem as a bonified classic.
Saturday 13 August, 12 and 3pm
Twelfth Night: The Acoustic Sessions Performed by: SAVVY Theatre Company
Mis-placed love is at the heart of this play, as a storm of hidden (and not-so-hidden) feelings swarm together. Where the players project images of themselves into the world, in the hope of living the life they think they should have or desperately want. This lively adaptation involves live music throughout and plays with the outcomes of some of the story’s central characters.
Saturday 20 August, 1 and 4pm and Sunday 21 August, 12 and 3pm
Romeo and Juliet Reloaded Performed by Shakespeare Reloaded
A punchy, upbeat reimagining of Shakespeare’s original text, set in West Berlin in the late 1980s.
Saturday 27 August 1 and 4pm and Sunday 28 August, 12 and 3pm
The Merchant of Venice Performed by Edinburgh Graduate Theatre Group
What would you trade to preserve a special relationship? Bassanio plans to regain his wealth by marrying Portia of Belmont and asks his friend Antonia for help, but his money is tied up in trade, so together they strike a deal with Shylock. Bassanio wins his bride, but Antonia’s ships flounder, and he must, by law, pay her bond. Will Portia be able to save her new husband’s dearest friend?
The Theatre Twittic 
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