Fuller’s, the premium pubs and hotels business, is delighted to announce the welcome return of Shakespeare in the Garden.
Produced by theatre company Open Bar, this year’s production sees The Tempest taking centre stage in pub gardens across the Fuller’s estate. This is the ninth year running that Fuller’s pub customers have been able to enjoy alfresco productions from Britain’s greatest playwright, but this year, of course, with a socially distanced twist.
Customers can attend one of 21 performances of The Tempest across 14 Fuller’s pubs from 1 September to 30 September 2020. Tickets must be purchased in advance from www.fullers.co.uk/event-finder/shakespeare-in-the-garden
Open Bar Theatre was formed in 2016 by Nicky Diss and Vicky Gaskin to produce Shakespeare for Fuller’s pub gardens. It is a female-led company, creating theatre that is accessible to everyone. The company adopts a lively, informal style for its performances, which fits perfectly with the relaxed setting of a picturesque pub garden.
Open Bar co-founder and director, Nicky Diss said, “Every year we try to bring accessible and fun Shakespeare shows to Fuller's pub gardens and, this year, we all need inspiring theatre more than ever. We're dusting off our aerial rig and The Tempest will be blowing into a beer garden near you.”
Vicky Gaskin said, “Our audiences are a real mix of pub goers and theatre fans. We love them all but nothing beats witnessing someone enjoying Shakespeare for the first time. The more reluctant they are at the beginning, the more magical it is.”
This year has, of course, been a bit different. Diss explained, “Trying to produce a show in 2020 has been a roller coaster to say the least. Fuller’s has been so positive and supportive throughout and, in a world where all artists are feeling undervalued and concerned for their future, we feel immensely privileged to be able to provide work for creatives – and ourselves.”
Gaskin added, “We certainly don’t shy away from a challenge. We love making theatre in unconventional spaces, so why not in unconventional times? Two years ago, Nicky gave birth a week before we went into rehearsals and I got married between rehearsals and opening night, so incorporating social distancing isn't likely to intimidate us.”
The Tempest will be boldest show yet for Shakespeare in The Garden, with original music, vibrant costumes and a hint of aerial circus. Open Bar serves Shakespeare like a cool frothy pint on a sunny day: it's refreshing, comforting and will have you singing all the way home.
Will he get everything he desires? Will he figure out what “one-metre plus” means? And will we all get the happy ending that we so desperately need this year?