Alsager Community Theatre to stage Shakespeare comedy at Little Moreton Hall

Jun 29 2011 by Ellie Cullen, Crewe Chronicle

Alsager Community Theatre is bringing one of Shakespeare’s best-loved comedies to life next month in an intimate performance sure to leave audiences mesmerised.

Its production of Twelfth Night will light up the stage in the courtyard of the National Trust’s Little Moreton Hall from July 14.

The group will enact the story of a shipwrecked Viola arriving on the shores of Illyria, grieving for the loss of her twin brother, Sebastian. Disguised as a boy, she enters into the service of the lovesick Duke Orsino.

Audiences can expect an emotive journey through the familiar Shakespearean themes of love, romance, jealousy, disguise and mistaken identity as the play reaches its enthralling climax.

The cast of characters will keep them entertained, with the boastful, drunken Sir Toby Belch, pompous Malvolio and intelligent, witty Countess Olivia.

Director Maree Thorpe said: “Twelfth Night is a play which contains many traditional songs both humorous and haunting, and offers opportunities for newly composed pieces, so ACT is delighted to welcome Richard Tadman and his musicians, who will once again be performing his original music live.

“In another exciting development our production has been accepted for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Open Stage Festival, a unique collaboration between the professional and amateur theatre.”

Performances are on July 14, 15 and 16, 21, 22 and 23 at 7.30pm. Audience members can picnic on the lawns at Little Moreton Hall beforehand for free, and there’s a marquee for performances in the event of wet weather. As ACT frequently has sell-out evenings, early booking is recommended.

Tickets are £12 (£6 for under-18s on Thursdays), and can be booked by calling the box office on 01260 276165.