START praying for better weather because the time has come for the annual treat that is the Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre season.
For the third year running, the Chester beauty spot will provide the stunning backdrop for two productions which will delight lovers of Shakespearean romantic comedy.
Chester Performs will be presenting not only the Bard’s classic Twelfth Night but also a specially commissioned sequel written by Glyn Maxwell entitled Masters Are You Mad?
Shakespeare’s romantic comedy Twelfth Night - this year sponsored by Essar – is first up and opens tomorrow night. It will be performed by a cast of 14, who are currently in the unique picnic theatre putting final touches to rehearsals.
Amber Knipe, company manager for Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre, said: “We are all impossibly excited about getting the season started. We love the audience in Chester and the cast and crew are all full of energy ready to perform.”
Alongside the Bard’s popular play, Glyn Maxwell’s Masters Are You Mad?, The Search for Malvolio will be given its premiere on Friday, July 13.
This is Glyn’s second year writing for Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre following the success of last year’s Merlin and the Woods of Time.
Organisers expect more than 11,000 people to attend the 49 shows, hailed as the ‘northern alternative to Shakespeare’s Globe’ and which now features a limited number of covered seats.
Cllr Stuart Parker, portfolio holder for culture and recreation at Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “We are delighted to work alongside Chester Performs again this year as they stage ‘this very midsummer madness’ in the stunning setting of Grosvenor Park, we hope everyone has a wonderful time.”
Tickets for performances are on sale now. Visit www.grosvenorparkopenairtheatre.co.uk call 0845 241 7868 or drop into Chester Visitor Centre.
