Britain Is Not In Flames
Making The Most Of Summer Outdoor Theatre
According to reports, the United Kingdom has descended into violent chaos. But it really hasn’t. The British — or rather, certain sections of the British population — have rioted this year as they have rioted many years before. This recurring activity — the Jungian dark side of our national character — is as British as cheese-rolling, almost as dangerous, and has very little to do with that elusive pimpernel, the so-called “Far Right”. Here’s a sane analysis of unfortunate recent events by Ed West. It’s got links to actual statistics, and everything, which is more than elements of mainstream media have been able to manage.
Elsewhere life goes on. The days are hot and thundery, rain sometimes falls. The blackberries are at their finest, the wasps are plotting to spoil our picnics — although owing to our wet spring there are fewer around this year — and there’s damp stubble in the fields from a less than bountiful harvest that is now mostly in. (At least it is round here.)
Meanwhile, there is a palpable slowing down. A sadness in the air. Autumn is almost upon us and what did we do with our rainy early summer?
It’s time for the cheer-up of outdoor theatre. These islands have many civilised delights to offer, and one of the finest is spending a warm evening in a camp chair, watching a small cast of energetic actors perform against lawn mowers, power tools, stray dogs, homicidal seagulls and kids on bikes. A professional actor of great experience once shared with me that he thought performing outdoors was the best acting apprenticeship available. It’s certainly nearer to the primitive roots of theatre in Greek drama and medieval mystery plays than the sophisticated lighting FXs of the mainstages. Ropey props, ingenious sets, and the demands they make on the audience’s imagination, are part of the fun.
There is an etiquette to this. Experienced outdoor theatregoers know to check the weather forecast and to bring a rain-protective outer garment no matter what is predicted. It’s bad form to walk away because of mere drizzle — it takes lightning and a torrential downpour at least to justify an early departure. Don’t bring an umbrella or sunshade. That’s inconsiderate to other audience members. And do check whether the seating is provided, because if it isn’t you will have to lug your own deckchairs or outdoor rug from your car to a performance site that may be some distance away.
It’s wise to take your al fresco theatre dining seriously. Arrive in early, bring a picnic and make it a good one. Otherwise you will suffer from picnic envy — not to mention picnic shame. Around you, audience members may be unpacking from the Mary Poppins depths of their baskets and cooler bags: bottles of chilled rose, delicious-looking ham and cheese rolls, miniature pork pies, crisps, plastic tubs of homemade salad, perfectly hard-boiled eggs and spectacular eton-mess puddings. The best picnics will look as if they have been in planning since January.
You do not have to participate in this potlatch — a Meal Deal from the Co-op and a bottle of pop will do — but it’s my duty to warn you.
Still, the show’s the thing, and here’s a list of them in Yorkshire between now and the usual trailing off date of mid-September. In all cases I have provided a link to the theatre company’s website so that if you’re in a different part of the country you can check if there’s an upcoming performance near you.
Imminently, we have Laura Turner’s adaptation of Louise May Alcock’s novel Little Women for Chapterhouse Theatre. For years an ancient, disintegrating and if I’m honest rather smelly volume of this story sat in my bookcase, a pass-on from my Auntie Kit who won it before the War as a Sunday School prize. As a child I loved Little Women, a great dollop of pre-teen feminism in an otherwise bleak cultural landscape for little girls. Chapterhouse have been touring straightforward adaptations of popular classics for years and know their market. They are typical of the kind of bread-and-butter British theatre ecology that stubbornly survives beneath the notice of professional critics. I have a ticket for this one, so see you there! Knaresborough Castle, Aug 17, 6pm for 7pm, £13.20-£22.
Next up we have the Pantaloons presenting Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives Of Windsor in Sheffield’s Botanical Gardens (Aug 27) and Oakwell Hall, Birstall (Aug 28), both £9 & £15. The Pantaloons bring a spirit of clowning to the Bard’s hastily written comedy of suburban manners in which the disgraceful knight Falstaff attempts to seduce two respectably married women at the same time. The relative lack of profundity of the text means the ‘Loons can take this performance in any madcap direction they please.
There’s more serious Shakespeare from outdoor touring behemoths Ilyria Theatre who present the romantic tragedy Romeo And Juliet at Pontefract Castle on Aug 28 (£10 & £18, registered carers free). Expect lots of quick changes as five actors perform the full text of this heartbreaking play as it was written — to be bellowed at the top of their lungs without artificial amplification. It does have its lighter moments but — spoiler alert — things do not end well.
And, finally, into September we have Three Inch Fools performing a musical version of The Comedy Of Errors at RSPB Dearne Valley Old Moor near Wombwell (Sep 7, £11-£21). This slapstick tale of two sets of identical twins creating endless confusion in a small town is widely considered to be Shakespeare’s funniest. This play is a perfect introduction for people who would otherwise be overfaced by too much text.
Ultimately, though, the success of an outdoor performance depends a lot on the weather. A gentle, sunny evening in a beautiful British location can result in pure magic almost irrespective of the quality of the production. I have also seen heavy rain wreak havoc despite the best efforts of the actors. So if you wish to play safe here are some outdoor shows in indoor venues (if that makes any sense):
Outdoors, Indoors
The Victoria Hall up in Settle is the venue for two shows by Folksy Theatre. The first, Angelica Sprocket’s Pockets, is a fun adaptation of Quentin Blake’s illustrated book for small children (Aug 18, 2pm, £11.50 & £13.50). The second, Shakespeare’s As You Like It, is a romantic comedy which explores the healing power of life amongst nature in the remote Forest of Arden, away from the cruel strictures of civilised court. (Aug 22, £13.50 & £16.50)
And finally, Handlebards, the eco-conscious cycling theatre company, present The Comedy Of Errors in the atmospheric setting of York’s medieval Merchant Adventurer’s Hall on Sep 5 (£5-£19.50)
That’s all for now. I have chores to do. See you soon with a report on ‘Little Women’.
Liz x