VENUES AND DATES:
PREVIEWS 16 -19 June at Higham Hill Hub, E17
23-26 June at Fellowship Square, E17
01-03 July at Wanstead Park, E11
07-10 July at Leyton Jubilee Park, E10
15-17 July at Hoxton Community Gardens, N1
22-24 July at Highams Park, IG8
27-29 July at Clissold Park, N16
05-07 Aug at Springfield Park, E5
The East London Shakespeare Festival (ELSF) merges the contemporary culture of East London with the inspirational storytelling of Shakespeare’s plays in outdoor parks and community spaces across East London.
ELSF launched in 2021 with a magical, riotous, sold-out production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, receiving an Off West End Award Nomination for Best Company.
Twelfth Night – Summer 2022 Tour
2022 will have you seeing double with a raucous, musical production of Twelfth Night – with a 1980s twist. Combining the wonderful storytelling of the Bard with a flavour of East London culture. Pure, unadulterated escapism, with live 80s classics, wild numbers, in lovely outdoor settings.
This is not traditional outdoor Shakespeare – it is performed in non-theatrical community spaces, with community at its heart, seeking inspiration from the diverse cultures of East London.
ELSF aims to bring communities together in a joyful way, giving some much-needed cultural respite in ‘safe’ outdoor settings. With lots of participatory opportunities for local communities to get involved in.
A festival vibe will be encouraged with gates opening an hour before the show, pre-show workshops, including 1980's party pendant making workshop and BYO picnics and the audience might even spot the bombastic residents of Illyria wandering around.
The production will feature a community ensemble of local residents at our Waltham Forest venues; and is partnering with local performing arts college Big Creative and Crate to provide placements & 2 Kickstart Apprenticeships, offering invaluable behind- the-scenes insight, support with creative career options & new skills for their students.
There are Pay-What-You-Can performances & heavily reduced school matinees for local Waltham Forest Schools with a 20-minute pre-show workshop.
The show is directed by Scott Le-Crass (Rose by Martin Sherman starring Maureen Lipman (Hope Mill Theatre/Sky Arts/Broadway HD), Elmer (UK and International Tour/Selladoor), Sid (Arts Theatre and UK Tour).
The producers - and co-directors of the East London Shakespeare Festival – are: Ursula Early & Rosie Ward
BYO Picnics welcome: gates open an hour before the show, so bring a picnic, soak up the atmosphere
For younger members of the audience (3+), you can also take part in a pre-show ‘flower-fairy’ headband making workshops run by cast members. This is at a small additional charge to show tickets so please add a separate workshop ticket when booking,
This is outdoor Shakespeare with a twist: combining the wonderful storytelling of the Bard with a flavour of East London culture. Pure, unadulterated escapism, with live music, showstopper numbers in lovely outdoor settings.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Evening Performances, Thursday - Saturday 7:30PM
Matinee Performances, Saturday & Sunday 3PM
Audiences are welcome to arrive 60 minutes beforehand to enjoy a picnic and soak up the atmosphere
Seating:
We have limited seating availble: these will be reserved for those that require them (e.g. senior citizens / those with a disability) and/or on a first come first served basis. Please email us to indicate you will need a chair/s and we will reserve one for you (while still available).
Email: info@elsf.uk
For other audiences it is 'Bring Your Own Seating' - you are welcome to bring picnic blankets/cushions (to sit on the floor) or outdoor seating/camping chairs.
All Weather Policy
We will not cancel a show due to rain!
As we know with the Great British summer, the 'rain can raineth every day' but whether it's tempests, or summers honey breath is on our side, the show must go on!
Be sure to bring a brolly and some cosy, waterproof clothes... or some suncream if you're feeling lucky!
If it rains but the show runs, we cannot offer refunds, however you can use your ticket on another day (subject to availability).
If it really is King Lear style storms, we will cancel the show. Patrons will be notified as soon as possible and a full refund/exchange issued.
DOGS
I'm afraid dogs are not permitted at performances.
Covid-19 Guidelines
- ELSF will follow and update Covid-19 Procedures as per government guidance.
East London Shakespeare Festival has completed a Risk Assessment to reduce the risk of transmission of Covid-19. This is available on request.
All employees & audiences must adhere to current government guidelines relating to Covid-19, and follow any other guidance provided by East London Shakespeare Festival or the venue.
· Employees & audience members with symptoms of COVID-19, or who have been advised to self-isolate following contact with someone with symptoms of COVID-19, should not to attend.
Managing Risk
· All our performance venues are outdoors
· Hand sanitiser available
· Pre-book online only (Paperless, and allowing for track & trace)
· Local venues with patrons & performers encouraged to walk/cycle and avoid public transport
· All Performers, Creative Team & volunteers required to take regular Rapid Flow Tests during rehearsals & performance period
· We would strongly encourage all audience members to take a Rapid Flow Test prior to attending the performance
© East London Shakespeare Company Ltd, Registered in England, Company No 064-961760
East London based theatre company