Outdoor Theatre at The Courts
Outdoor theatre comes to The Courts Garden in Holt this June when bike-powered travelling players, the HandleBards, present their unique take on two of Shakespeare’s best known plays.
The HandleBards are a four-strong, all-male, theatre troupe who travel around the UK on bicycles, performing Shakespeare at outdoor venues as they go. This year, the 400th anniversary of the Bard’s death, sees them embark on their most ambitious season yet, ‘4 for 400’, as they and a new all-female group perform four of Shakespeare’s greatest plays between them.
The all-male troupe will be visiting The Courts Garden, to play ‘Richard III’ on Tuesday 7 June and ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ on Wednesday 8 June. Shows start at 7pm, but gates open at 6pm and visitors are encouraged to bring a rug and a picnic and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the garden before curtain up.
With its selection of beautifully varied, intimate garden rooms, The Courts Garden, managed by the National Trust, is the perfect outdoor theatre location. At this time of year, the flower borders are rich with colour and the curiously shaped topiary casts long shadows over the lawn in the evening sun.
‘It’s great to welcome the HandleBards back to the Courts Garden,’ said Jane Stephenson Ingram, National Trust Visitor Experience Co-ordinator. ‘The garden provides an ideal backdrop for their quirky interpretation of the plays. It also gives our visitors the rare opportunity to enjoy the sights and scents of the garden in the evening light.’
Tickets for the HandleBards are available over the phone by calling 0844 249 1895 or online at nationaltrust.org.uk/the-courts-garden. Booking is essential. Adult tickets are £15.00, child tickets are £12.00
7 June 2016, 7pm: The HandleBards present ‘Richard III’ at The Courts Garden, Holt
8 June 2016, 7pm: The HandleBards present ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ at The Courts Garden, Holt
The Courts Garden is looked after by the National Trust and is open to visitors from February to October, Thursday to Tuesday, 11am to 5.30pm. On Thursdays in June, the garden stays open until 9pm. Normal admission applies.
The Courts Garden, Holt is near Bradford on Avon. For more information call 01225 782785 or visit nationaltrust.org.uk/the-courts-garden
