From Monday 17th May, public performances with audiences are permitted again, and venues across the region are preparing for the excited, if still socially distanced, audiences. Our region is welcoming more open air theatre companies than ever before during the summer months. Look out for full details.
Here are some highlights, and remember that limited audience numbers will mean they will sell out quickly.
Bath Festival, this year from 17th to 24th May with an August finale and an October encore (Patti Smith), has the Gesualdo Six in the Roman baths, Bridgerton walking tours of the city, Richard Osman and the Complete Beethoven Quartets among a full programme.
Wimborne’s Tivoli reopens with a visit by comedian Simon Evans in The Work of the Devil, the ever-popular Paul Jones and Dave Kelly, and Jack and the Beanstalk in June, all before our next edition on 4th June.
Poole’s Lighthouse has moved big films into the larger theatre space, and starts with The Greatest Showman on 22nd May. There is a Comedy Club 4 Kids at the new outdoor amphitheatre next to the main building.
Yeovil’s Octagon has an excitingly full programme, starting with a visit from the Grimethorpe Colliery Band on 22nd May, and continuing with Austentatious – the improvised Jane Austen novel . Lesley Garrett will be in Yeovil for an evening of song, reminiscences and chat on 6th June.
Ralph Fiennes brings the world premiere of his new show TS Eliot’s Four Quartets, to Bath Theatre Royal from 25th May.
The Gaggle of Geese at Buckland Newton hosts a visit from Luke Wright in The Ballad Seller on 30th May
Big open air tours are getting started, with Illyria’s The Further Adventures of Dr Doolittle at the ECOS Amphitheatre at Frome Merlin on 2nd June, and the wonderful Lord Chamberlain’s Men at Salisbury Cathedral Close with Macbeth on 4th and 5th June.
Book soon, wrap up warm, and enjoy a summer of live performances again.
By Gay Pirrie-Weir
