Stamford Shakespeare Company facts for kids
| Formation | 1968 |
|---|---|
| Type | Theatre Company |
| Purpose | Production of plays by Shakespeare and other playwrights. |
|
Official language
|
English |
|
Artistic Director
|
Jean Harley |
| Website | stamfordshakespeare.co.uk |
The Stamford Shakespeare Company is a special group that puts on plays every year. They are a "registered charity," which means they are a non-profit organization that does good work for the community. This theatre company is made up of amateur actors, meaning people who act because they love it, not as their main job. They perform plays by William Shakespeare and other famous writers. Their shows happen in June, July, and August at the Rutland Open Air Theatre, which is located in the lovely grounds of Tolethorpe Hall in Rutland.
Contents
The History of Stamford Shakespeare
How the Company Started
The Stamford Shakespeare Company began in 1968. It was started by a talented person named Jean Harley, who was the first Artistic Director. Their very first play was A Midsummer Night's Dream, performed in the garden of the historic George Hotel in Stamford, Lincolnshire.
At first, the group was supported by the Stamford Arts Centre Committee. This committee was working to create a new Arts Centre and fix up the old Georgian Theatre in the town. In 1971, the theatre group became independent and officially took the name "Stamford Shakespeare Company."
Moving to Tolethorpe Hall
The company continued to perform open-air Shakespeare plays at the George Hotel until 1976. At that time, the hotel needed to do some building work and could no longer host the summer theatre.
In early 1977, Tolethorpe Hall became available. It was in a very run-down state, but the Stamford Shakespeare Company bought it with a special loan. 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 to sit and watch a show.
This natural area was turned into a theatre with 600 seats made of concrete steps. A large canvas canopy was added to cover the audience, protecting them from the weather. The first season at Tolethorpe Hall opened in May 1977 with performances of Macbeth and The Taming of the Shrew.
The Unique Outdoor Stage
Tolethorpe Hall sits on a hillside with different levels. The theatre's seating area faces outwards, looking across a lower flat area that serves as the stage. Beyond the stage, you can see the open countryside of the Gwash valley. This creates a beautiful and natural backdrop for the plays.
The Stamford Shakespeare Company puts on a three-month season of plays every summer. Usually, they perform two plays by Shakespeare and one play by a different writer.
Past Performances
The Stamford Shakespeare Company has performed many famous plays over the years. Here are some of the plays they have staged in recent seasons:
Plays from 2017
- Much Ado About Nothing
- A Midsummer Night's Dream
- Hobson's Choice
Plays from 2018
Plays from 2019
- Blithe Spirit
- Julius Caesar
- Twelfth Night
Plays from 2020
