Stamford Shakespeare Company facts for kids

The beautiful grounds of Tolethorpe Hall, with the theatre canopy on the left.

The Stamford Shakespeare Company is a theatre group that puts on plays every summer. They perform in June, July, and August at the Rutland Open Air Theatre. This theatre is located in the lovely grounds of Tolethorpe Hall in Rutland, England. They are a registered charity, which means they are a non-profit organization that helps the community.

How it Started

The Stamford Shakespeare Company began in 1968. It was started by Jean Harley, who was their first Artistic Director. Their very first play was A Midsummer Night's Dream. They performed it in the Monastery Garden of the historic George Hotel in Stamford, Lincolnshire. This was done to help raise money for a new Arts Centre in the town.

In 1971, the theatre group became independent. They officially named themselves the "Stamford Shakespeare Company."

Finding a New Home

The outdoor plays continued at the George Hotel until 1976. The hotel needed to do some building work, so the theatre group had to find a new place.

In 1977, Tolethorpe Hall became available. It was in a very run-down state, but the Stamford Shakespeare Company bought it. They were especially interested in the grounds because they had a natural amphitheatre. An amphitheatre is like a natural bowl shape in the land, perfect for an audience.

They turned this natural area into a theatre with 600 seats. These seats were made of concrete steps and were covered by a large canvas roof. The first plays at Tolethorpe Hall opened in May 1977. They performed Macbeth and The Taming of the Shrew.

The theatre stage is on a lower level, and the audience sits on the sloped ground looking out. Behind the stage, you can see the open countryside of the Gwash valley.

What They Perform

Every summer, the Stamford Shakespeare Company puts on a three-month season of plays. They usually perform two plays by William Shakespeare. They also include one play by another famous writer.

Some of the plays they have performed in recent years include:

• As You Like It
• Alice in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass
• Henry V
• Romeo and Juliet
• Macbeth
• The Tempest
• The Wind in the Willows
• Much Ado About Nothing
• The Merchant of Venice
• The Merry Wives of Windsor
• Julius Caesar
• Twelfth Night
• Love's Labour's Lost
• The Importance of Being Earnest
• Lord of the Flies