Shakespeare in Love
an open-air theatre spectacular!
1 – 5 July
2025 sees The Castle Players make a bold return to its summer tradition of outdoor performances with a spectacular production of ‘Shakespeare in Love – the Play’. Touring to five venues on five consecutive nights it opens on Whorlton Village Green on Tuesday 1 July at 7pm before visiting All Saints & Salutation Church, Darlington on 2 July, Mickleton Village Green on 3 July, TCR The Hub, Barnard Castle on 4 July and finally, on Saturday 5 July, the stunning walled gardens of Raby Castle.
Directed by Gordon Duffy-McGhie, the play is based on the Oscar®-winning film, ‘Shakespeare in Love’, and follows young Will Shakespeare as a penniless playwright struggling with writer’s block. Everything changes, however, when Will meets the daring Viola de Lesseps, a noblewoman with a secret passion for acting at a time when women were banned from the public stage. Disguised as a man, Viola auditions for Will’s play, and when a whirlwind romance follows it inspires the legendary story of ‘Romeo and Juliet’.
Expect sword fights, mistaken identities, and a barrel of laughs in this enchanting tale of poetic love!
Rehearsals are already underway with a cast of thirty-seven, and just out of town local set builder, Simon Pell, is preparing for an especially busy time. A design competition with degree students from Northern School of Art in Hartlepool has already produced many innovative ideas and visuals for the set. The competition winner will be announced at Northern Stage in Newcastle on May 8th.
Tickets go on sale on 7 May – please visit www.castleplayers.co.uk to book your tickets and for further information.