First full Shakespeare performance since lockdown taking place at Stratford pub
A Stratford pub garden is set to host the first full Shakespeare performance in the country since the COVID crisis began.
The Keys, on Ely Street, will host two amateur performances of The Merry Wives of Windsor at the end of the bank holiday weekend after landlord Chris Creasey decided to make a foray into directing a play for the first time.
The lockdown forced the cast of 14 to rehearse online through Zoom, and have only recently been able to rehearse together, albeit only partially.
Despite the challenges caused by the pandemic, the play is almost ready, and Chris is looking forward to his pub hosting the two performances.
He said: “I’ve always loved Shakespeare, so I wanted to try my hand at putting together an amateur performance.
“I put a call out for actors before COVID happened, and the parts were filled quickly. But lockdown ended up making things such as planning and rehearsing difficult.
“However, it was not as tricky as I first feared. A lot of the actors worked in the hospitality industry, and because I’m a publican, it meant we had plenty of time to rehearse over Zoom as none of us were in work.
“Rehearsing online worked surprisingly well, and we were in a pretty good position by the time restrictions started to ease.
“Once we were able to get six people meeting in gardens, we were able to have face-to-face rehearsals for the first time, although not with the full cast all at the same time.
“We had plenty of interest in the performance as soon as it was advertised. I think the people of Stratford are hungry for Shakespeare to return.
“It’s going to be a special occasion – this will be the first full Shakespeare play performed in the country since the lockdown was enforced. We’re all so excited.”
The setting of the play has been modernised – Sir John Falstaff will be portrayed as a Birmingham City-supporting football fanatic, with other Midlands teams represented in the play as well.
“I wanted to make it a little bit more appealing for modern audiences,” Chris added.
“Shakespeare can be a bit challenging to follow sometimes, so I hope our version adds something a bit different to the play.”
The two performances will be held at noon on Sunday August 30, and at 4.30pm on Monday August 31. Tickets have already sold out.
Although the audience did not have to pay for their tickets, they will be encouraged to donate to the NHS Charities on the two days.
Chris, who will play Rugby and Bardolph in the show, added: “It became clear very early on in this crisis just how hard the NHS was working to save lives all over the country.
“We were originally going to have a collection for the actors, but we quickly agreed we wanted any donations to go to NHS charities instead.
“It’s the least we can do to support all those people risking their lives every day to save others.”
ENDS
CAPTION – From left to right: Nathan Brown, Simon Kemp, Donna Dean, Barry Purchase-Rathbone, Hannah McBride, Justin Osborne, Chris Creasy, Pranan Agnihotri
