EAST LONDON SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL PRESENTS
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VENUES AND DATES:
PREVIEWS Higham Hill Park, 06 - 08 June
Hoxton Community Gardens, 12 – 13 June
Highams Park, 14 – 15 June
Lloyd Park, Walthamstow, 19 - 22 June
Central Park, Newham, 26 - 27 June
Alexandra Palace, Haringey, 28 June
Riverside East, Stratford, 29 June
Springfield Park, Clapton, 04 July
Wanstead Park, Redbridge 05 - 06 July
Crystal Palace Park, 12 – 13 July
Clissold Park, Hackney, 17 - 20 July
Lauderdale House, Highgate, 23 - 24 July
Valentines Park, Ilford, 25 July
Royal Observatory, Greenwich, 26 - 27 July
Charterhouse Square, Barbican 31 July
Langthorne Amphitheatre, Leytonstone, 01 August
Leyton Jubilee Park, 02 August
Big Penny Social, Walthamstow, 03 August
Gunnersbury Park, Acton, 27 - 28 August
Welcome to the Forest of Arden
East London Shakespeare Festival is committed to bringing high quality and accessible Shakespeare to East London audiences.
This joyful, family-friendly outdoor production blends contemporary London culture with the Bard’s wit, romance, and secret identities. Follow Rosalind, Orlando, and a vibrant cast of characters as they navigate love and self-discovery in a Forest of Arden reimagined as a lively festival of music, cabaret, and revelry.
With ELSF’s signature high-energy numbers, slapstick comedy, and audience participation, this is Shakespeare for everyone! Alongside a community engagement programme with lots of opportunities to get involved..
It will include ELSF’s trademark high-energy numbers, slapstick comedy characters for our younger audiences to enjoy, and a classic playlist including P!nk, Katy Perry, My Chemical Romance, Lady Gaga, as well as original music by Sonum Batra.
We hope you enjoy the party as much as we enjoyed putting it together.
CREATIVE TEAM
Rosie Ward - Director
As well as being Co-Artistic Director of East London Shakespeare Festival, Rosie is the founder & Company Director of UpFront Theatre Company. She is the Principal of Act Out Performing Arts Schools.
She is a professional actor & singer, and trained in Acting at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts.
Theatre Credits include: Ariadne Ovid’s Metamorphoses (EdFringe & Vaults Festival, PantsOnFire), Cleopatra Anthony & Cleopatra & Goneril King Lear (Cambridge Shakespeare Festival); Lady Macbeth Macbeth – UK Tour & Viola Twelfth Night – Bloomsbury Theatre + UK Tour (Young Shakespeare Company); Soloist New Musicals Project – Leicester Square Theatre & Soloist British Musical Future Hosted by Stiles & Drewe – The Other Palace (As Told By).
Rosie is based in Leytonstone along with her partner, 3-year-old and Darcey the dog!
Director's Note
Directing the ELSF summer tour is truly the highlight of my year and I cannot wait to get started on As You Like It. ELSF has now taken on Romeo & Juliet, and three of the Bard's most famous comedies (Dream, Twelfth Night & Much Ado) and As You Like It felt like the natural next choice - a magical forest, characters in disguise, several juicy romances and a strong & sparky female lead... it really has a bit of everything!
Finding the richness of these characters and exploring the relationships is always my favourite
part of the process, and we have a phenomenal cast to bring them to life. I also love the theme of identity in this play - with so many of the character's in disguise, and yet discovering a part of themselves through their alter-egos. And I am particularly exciting about creating the world of 'The Forest of Arden.' Duke Senior has rejected superficial court and made a home in the forest, which has become a sanctuary for outsiders & nomads - and curated a creative hub which in our version will be a vibrant underground cabaret scene.
Huge thank you to our phenomenal designer Lucy Fowler and by set builder Andy Hollingworth, whose clever set not only creates the opposing worlds of Town vs. Forest, but is also built to withstand all the British weather can throw at it!
Anyone who has been to an ELSF show knows how important music and movement is - our sensational musical director Sonum Batra has created an amazing score (original and arranged), with movement & moves to match by our genius movement director, Meg McCarthy.
Thanks as always to my co-artistic director Ursula Early for all the hard and non-glamourous graft that goes on behind the scenes.
- Rosie Ward - Director
Ursula Early: As You Like It Associate Director & Producer; Co-Artistic Director of ELSF
Ursula has produced all of ELSF’s productions and tours including: Romeo & Juliet, Twelfth Night and A Midsummer Night’s Dream and co-wrote and directed ELSF’s launch show Two Metres to Shakespeare.
Ursula has also recently launched and directs ELSF’s Young Company – a youth theatre for East London 7-17 year olds. Alongside ELSF, she is also Producer for Walthamstow’s performance & community venue The CentrE17.
Previous producing/ directing projects include: Welcome Festival (Blackhorse Arts), Desdemona: a Play About Handkerchief (PARK THEATRE), A Bold Stroke for A Husband and Double Indignity (UK Tour / Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds); regular new writing/comedy night Laugh Your Farce Off (Pleasance Theatre: Main House & Edinburgh). She was a producer on Old Vic New Voices TS Eliot US/UK Exchange.
BECKY BARRY - BSL INTERPRETER
Becky Barry is a multi-disciplinary theatre maker and BSL/English interpreter (Becky Allen RSLI). She has worked across the UK and abroad, including regular collaborations with Derby Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe, ZooCo & Improbable and The RSC. Becky is a passionate advocate for access provision, representation and liberation - onstage and off.
SONUM BATRA - Musical Director
Sonum is a Yorkshire-based Musical Director, Composer and Sound Designer.
Recent credits as Composer/Sound Designer include: Mrs. President (Charing Cross Theatre), Spiders (Bush Theatre), One Punch (Hull Truck Studio), Northbound Boy (King’s Theatre), The Watsons (Mountview), The Art of Success (Mountview), Iloya (Utopia), Merry Wives of Windsor (Mountview), Jennie Lee (Mikron), Lumberjills (Capitol Theatre), Blue Stockings (Mountview), Ladies Unleashed (Hull Truck), Favour (Bush Theatre), Red Sky at Night (Mikron Theatre), Arabian Nights (Hoxton Hall), Relativity (Finborough Theatre) Not the End of the World (Edinburgh Fringe), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Warhorse Theatre Works).
Recent credits as MD/pianist include: Jack and the Beanstalk (Cast), A Christmas Carol (Derby Theatre), Guts! The Musical (Hull Truck), Beauty and The Beast (Cast), Pinocchio (Hull Truck), Spring and Port Wine (Bolton Octagon), Sleeping Beauty (Cast), Just an Ordinary Lawyer (Leeds University), 71 Coltman Street (Hull Truck), Aladdin (Buxton Opera House), Just an Ordinary Lawyer (Hull Truck), The Railway Children (Hull Truck), Dick Whittington (Grange Theatre), Aladdin (Embassy Theatre), Bend it Like Beckham (workshop, Dominion Theatre), Bring on the Bollywood (Belgrade Theatre), His Indian Boyfriend (Stratford East Theatre), Kat in Kixx (Stratford East Theatre), John and Jen (Rosemary Branch), Swallows and Amazons (Bristol Old Vic), They’re Playing Our Song (Catford Broadway).
MEG MCCARTHY - Movement Director
Meg McCarthy is a choreographer, director and performer, with over 10 years of experience in the industry. With a wealth of experience in the industry, Meg has devoted her time to not only performing but nurturing the next generation of performers by teaching at esteemed institutions such as Masters Performing Arts, Performers College, and LMA London. Recently directing and choreographing their 3rd year productions. Her happy place is in the studio creating, cultivating and crafting new shows.
She trained at Arts Educational London BA (Hons) in Musical Theatre. Her past professional credits include Bad Girls: The Musical (The Union Theatre- Ensemble/ understudy Yvonne), Babes In Arms (Ye Old Rose and Crown- Delores Reynolds), Buckle Up (The Space, Edinburgh- Lisa), Kerry Ellis In Concert (London Palladium, ensemble) and The Olivier Awards (Ensemble). Choreography work includes: Legally Blonde- The Musical, (The Wyvern Theatre), Wizard of Oz (The Wyvern Theatre), Spelling Bee (Stratford Royal Theatre) and Fame (LMA London).
Meg is thrilled to be joining this company as choreographer.
Meg Matthews - Fight Choreographer
Meg trained at ArtsEd London. Since graduating she has worked on screen, stage and within the music industry, nationally and internationally. Along side acting, she is also a choreographer and fight performer, qualified as an advanced fighter with the BADC. She has worked on a variety of projects as both an actor and fight performer.
Credits include: Secret Cinema’s Guardians of The Galaxy, Shockwaves (Feature Film), Green Shoots (York Theatre Royal), NMS (Pilot Series), Toothfairy V (Feature Film), Frequency (Short Film), Soho Cinders (Union Theatre), Nutcracker: The Musical (Pleasance Theatre).
Creative credits include: Sh*tFaced Shakespeare, Sh*tfaced Showtime, Macbeth (Young Shakespeare Company) Romeo & Juliet (YSC), Viking Revenge (Champ Dog), Kill Them With Kindness (Candid Broads Productions).
During Lockdown, Meg also established Scene Sessions, an online production company where writers can present new work and share script ideas in a safe, online space. On this platform she developed her own series which is currently in pre-production.
Lucy Fowler - Designer
Lucy is a London-based set and costume designer with a passion for storytelling through live performance. Since graduating with a BA (Hons) in Design for Performance from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2017, she has worked with a variety of companies and venues.
Her recent work includes: Revival Designer for Magic Flute (Charles Court Opera, Wilton’s Music Hall), Associate designer for As Long as We Are Breathing (Arcola Theatre), Set and Costume designer for Napoleon: Un Petit Pantomime (Charles Court Opera, Jermyn Street Theatre) and Hansel and Gretel (Arts Outburst, Thameside Theatre). She is also the Costume designer for A Pissedmas Carol which appears each Christmas at Leicester Square Theatre.
Lucy has also worked as a freelance assistant designer at the Royal Shakespeare Company and is frequently Assistant designer for Set and Costume Designers Nicky Shaw and Stewart J Charlesworth.
Andrew Hollingworth - Production Manager/Set Builder
Andrew has been a set builder for Redbridge Drama Centre on a handful of their Christmas productions. He has also been Tech Operator and Stage Manager on Katie Arnstein's "It's A Girl" Trilogy: Bicycles and Fish, Sexy Lamp and Sticky Door, and most recently on her production of The Long Run at the New Diorama Theatre
Andrew trained as an actor and writes and produces shows for his theatre company Buckle Up Theatre. He has taken his work to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and to other festivals in the UK, America and Europe and won multiple awards.
Beth Blackler - Theatre Production & Stage Management Apprentice
I am a Drama graduate based in East London with a deep love for theatre and the art of theatre-making – ranging from acting to creating original work. My journey has included performing in productions at the Tower Theatre in Stoke Newington, where I have continued to grow and collaborate with like-minded creatives. I’m always excited to get involved, bring energy, and most importantly, have fun whilst I’m doing it! Whilst working on this production, I hope to learn and develop my skills behind the scenes, observing what it takes to form a successful piece of work that is accessible to all. I am super excited to be a part of the East London Shakespeare Festival and feel very lucky to tour a play across the area’s best locations and give new shape to a classic we all love!
Michael Jordan - Front of House Manager
Michael is a young actor and director born in East London and has been with ELSF since the beginning. He has been trained by the National Youth Theatre and RAW Academy. He has previously written and directed his own play. Michael is excited to pursue more directorial roles in the future.
MEET THE CAST
ETHAN DILLON - TOUCHSTONE / DUKE SENIOR
Ethan is from Cork and is a graduate of both UCC and The Gaiety School of Acting. He recently played the part of Éamon de Valera in Souls and Shadows and Secrets in The Everyman, Cork. Selected theatre work includes Shane Casey’s Wet Paint; Disco Pigs and The Boys with Reality Check Productions; Norah, Ledwidge and One Para with The New Theatre, The Spinning Heart at The Gaiety Theatre; Jack Thorne’s one-man play Stacy and his own adaptation of Three Men in a Boat with Minnow Productions. Work at the Mill Theatre includes The Twits, Romeo and Juliet, The Playboy of the Western World, Othello, Macbeth, King Lear,
The Merchant of Venice and Cinderella. TV/Film work includes Dub Daze, The Cured, The Green Knight and Vikings: Valhalla.
URSULA EARLY - CELIA / AUDREY / ADAM
Ursula is the producer and co-artistic director of ELSF and has been a professional actress for 20 years. She trained at Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Stage credits include: Twelfth Night & Romeo & Juliet (Kenneth More Theatre), Much Ado About Nothing and Twelfth Night (ELSF), Please Right Back (1927), The Endings (Soho Theatre & Nottingham Playhouse), Powerhouse, Last Manor Standing (Pleasance Theatre, London & Edinburgh), Wives As They Were Maids As They Are & Animal Magnetism (Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds and Theatre Royal, Haymarket), Guests (Hall For Cornwall), Master Of Mayhem (Eastern Angles), Just For Fun (New End Theatre), Diamond (Kings Head), Blame (Sphinx Theatre Company – Tour), The Glimmer (Bristol Old Vic Studio). Her TV credits include: ‘Imperial Leather’ advert, Eastenders, Doctors, The Bill, Life Begins, The Life Class and several independent films.
EMILIA HARRILD - ROSALIND
Emilia Harrild is a double Offie-nominated actor musician, singer and poet from South East London. Her credits include 'Sensory Cinders' at Soho Place, 'Lear Dethroned' with Sasswagen Collective, 'The Threepenny Opera' (Minack Theatre), 'Romeo and Juliet' (ELSF), 'The Importance of Being Earnest' (The Roman Theatre) and 'Macbeth' (The Three Inch Fools). Emilia trained at The Bridge Theatre Training Company, following on from her undergraduate in English Literature at the University of Birmingham. Beyond her work as an actor, Emilia is a skilled musician, instrumental teacher, and playwright. She works as a session musician - a cellist, singer, and spoken word artist. She is a founding company member and playwright of Sasswagen Collective and is also a sensory practioneer, working with children and adults labelled with Profound Mutiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD).
CHARLIE JENNINGS - OLIVER / SILVIUS
Charlie studied at RADA. Stage credits include; Dazzled, Not One of Us, Oh! What a Lovely World (English Theatre Company, EU tour), Banquo Macbeth, Sebastian Twelfth Night (The Living Theatre) and Gabriel in Gabriel (Ignite Theatre).
Charlie has also written and produced his own play Pick Me Baby at the etcetera theatre.
LUKE MARTIN - ORLANDO
Luke Martin is a London based actor, director, writer, and an avid lover of Shakespeare. He is so excited to jump into the wonderful world of Arden Forest!
He has previously appeared in A Christmas Carol, Twelfth Night, Romeo and Juliet (Kenneth More Theatre & Redbridge Drama Centre), In Harm’s Way, Before Anyone Else (Upfront Theatre Company), and Shakespeare in the Pub: Henry IV, House of Gloucester (dEFAULT THEATRE).
He trained at The BRIT School, and Rose Bruford College.
Luke is the Artistic Director of dEFAULT THEATRE, with whom he recently directed, produced, and performed in ‘Shakespeare in the Pub: Henry IV’.
GEORGE PROVÉ - JAQUES / DUKE FREDERICK / CORIN
Training: Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Credits include: Tuna (Outcast - Queer Theatre), Marley's Ghost/Young Scrooge/Fred/Mr Fezziwig/Peter Cratchit (A Christmas Carol - The Duke's Theatre Company), Dean (Run - Bocca Theatrics/Reading Rep), Touchstone (As You Like It - The Duke's Theatre Company), Arthur (Copëza - Intent New Theatre), Michael (Off The Block - Rabble Theatre), Various (NewsRevue - Canal Café Theatre), Epiphany/Greta (Bob - Edinburgh Fringe/Arts Theatre).
George is delighted to be joining ELSF this summer.
BLOSSOM TIMOTHY - PHOEBE / AMIENS / CHARLES
Blossom is a Nigerian-British actor based in London who graduated last year from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in 2024. She has had a love for performing from a young age and admires how it is a vehicle of endless possibilities; seeing acting as a way to be completely transported to a different world. Blossom has great passion for storytelling through film and stage - she recently toured Macbeth playing ‘Lady Macbeth’ and A Christmas Carol with The Globe Players, and has just wrapped as the lead in a feature film set for release later this year. She also works in children’s theatre, recently playing Hare in Hare and Tortoise (New Wolsey Theatre).
PEGGY BARNES - APPRENTICE ACTOR 2025
LE BEAU / WILLIAM / JAQUES DE BOYS
I want to grow as an actor by being immersed in the work, surrounded by passionate, experienced artists I can learn from, which is something I'm excited to explore with ELSF!
I'm a recent graduate of the CertHE course in acting for stage and screen at LAMDA.
My past experience includes playing Hedda Gabler at the Edinburgh Fringe 2024.
SYNOPSIS
TOWN:
We begin our story in Town, governed by the cold Duke Frederick, who has recently banished his brother, Duke Senior. City life is materialistic and the residents driven by fame and fortune.
Oliver - a playboy millionaire is visiting to watch a much awaited Wrestling Match between Charles the Wrestler and Oliver's brother - Orlando. Orlando has been denied his rightful inheritance by Oliver, but when he confronts him, Oliver becomes even more furious and encourages Charles the Wrestler to seriously injure Orlando. However, Orlando is victorious!
Watching the Wrestling are Duke Frederick's daughter Celia and her cousin, Rosalind, whose father is the banished Duke Senior. Rosalind and Orlando meet and instantly fall in love. But Duke Frederick has had enough of his daughter, Celia being overlooked in favour of Rosalind and banishes his niece, on punishment of death. Celia adores Rosalind and comes up with a plan for them to escape to the Forest of Arden to find Rosalind's father Duke Senior. They plan to disguise themselves, Rosalind as a young man called Ganeymede, and Celia as a country maid, Aliena. They take their friend, Touchstone with them.
Upon discovering they have fled, furious Duke Frederick demands that Orlando is found and questioned. Luckily, Orlando's faithful servant Adam overhears this and he and Orlando also escape to the Forest of Arden.
FOREST OF ARDEN:
We meet the residents of the Forest of Arden, a group of outsiders, creatives, renegades who have made the Forest their home, led by the enigmatic Duke Senior. As well as providing sanctuary, the Forest has become a vibrant, underground cabaret scene.
Orlando finds the camp and demands food, and is welcomed in by Duke Senior, who knew and loved his late father. Meanwhile, Rosalind (as Ganeymede), Celia (as Aliena) & Touchstone have made a home in a shepherd's hut, which they buy from a local farmer, Corin.
We meet more of the Forest of Arden residents, including Amiens a musician and Jaques - whose melancholy & philosophical view on the world are the heartbeat of the Forest of Arden.
Meanwhile, lovesick Orlando writes poems about Rosalind and hangs them on the trees - when he meets Ganeymede (really Rosalind) who offers to cure him of his lovesickness by pretending to be Rosalind, mainly to give her a reason to see him every day.
However, things get confusing when Rosalind/Ganeymede interrupts a fight between local pony club girl, Phoebe and farmer Silvius, who is head over heels in love with her. Ganeymede encourages Phoebe to accept Silvius' love, but instead, Phoebe falls in love with Ganeymede!
Touchstone is managing some romance of his own, as he has fallen in love with local goat farmer, Audrey, and asks her to marry him... but they are struggling to set a date.
And so life continues, with the characters continuing to hide their true identities.
But suddenly, Oliver appears the shepherd's hut. He is ragged having been lost in the forest, and nearly attacked by a lioness, and then a serpent... but who should come to his rescue but Orlando! Oliver realises the error of his ways and the brothers reconcile.
Oliver and Celia fall in love and agree to marry.
But how can anyone possibly get married when no one is who they say they are?
Rosalind vows to make everything right.
The following day, she appears as Rosalind again, with Celia and Jaques, dressed as Hymen, who is here to marry them all!
Rosalind and Orlando can be together, and Duke Senior has his daughter back.
Celia and Oliver can be together.
Phoebe realises that Ganeymede isn't real, and if she can't have him, Silvius will have to do! & Audrey and Touchstone finally say "I do" too!
A classic quadruple Shakespearean wedding!
And just as it can't get any more 'happily ever after', Oliver and Orlando's brother, Jaques de Boys arrives with news: Duke Frederick came to the Forest of Arden to kill his brother but on his way, met a religious man, repented and presently died, reinstating Duke Senior.
Then they really do all live happily ever after.
If you have seen the show & enjoyed it, please share & tag us on social media
Each year, ELSF employs talented young professionals to join the team. Our aim is to discover and nurture new talent. In addition to a professional credit, ELSF provides mentoring and training.
Joining the team this year will be an Apprentice Actor, Apprentice Stage/Company Manager and Work experience placements.
APPRENTICE SCHEME
COMMUNITY CAST
Joining the company onstage for a selection of performances will be our wonderful Community Cast:
Paparazzi & fans
Wrestling spectators
Duke Frederick's bodyguards
Forest of Arden residents
Goats / Wedding guests
Sonnet 18
Walthamstow:
Lila Lamdin, Freya Davis, Oliver Dalby, Caleb Evers, Loran Osmani, Saba Slade, Raif Amlani, Amelie Merry, Sia Merry, Zora Duric-Speare, Juliet Odjoma, Michelle Wilkinson, Steve Saxby
Newham:
Zora Duric-Speare, Awa Jagne, Grace Fundu, Glory Sengo, Sterre Ploeger, Pritesh Patel, Hannah Facey, Jade Sempare, Ellen Goodey, Katie Blake, Paizah Malek
This opportunity was open to all: residents and participants joined us in rehearsals, as well as a workshop facilitated by industry professionals
PRODUCERS - URSULA EARLY & ROSIE WARD
Ursula
Producing and Directing: Alongside being one of the founders and directors of ELSF she is director for Waltham Forest based theatre and community company Blackhorse Arts. She is also Producer and Programmer for Walthamstow’s performance venue CentreE17.
Rosie
Founder and Company Director of UpFront Theatre Company, touring educational PSHE workshops and plays around UK Schools. Principal at Act Out Performing Arts and co-founder and co-director of East London Shakespeare Festival.
The East London Shakespeare Festival aims to bring joyful, contemporary and professional productions to outdoor community spaces. We want to make Shakespeare accessible to all, be that creatively, financially or logistically. Alongside our fantastic productions, we are running a Community Programme including an Apprentice scheme for aspiring actors/directors; Community Ensemble for local people to get involved; Performances & Workshops for Local Schools and plenty of Volunteer opportunities. We have partenered with local companies and aim to support other local businesses though our productions.
PR - CAROLINE ANSDELL, CAPR
I'm a freelance theatre and dance publicist with more than 17 years' experience in arts PR. I have boundless enthusiasm for live performance, and enjoy working with clients and media contacts to generate insightful and relevant coverage that supports ticket sales and raises profile. Previous experience includes in house at Sadler's Wells (Head of Media and Communications) and the National Theatre (Events Press Officer), and in an agency setting at Arthur Leone PR (Account Manager). I made the leap to freelance in February 2024 and have enjoyed promoting a range of theatre and dance productions. Current and recent clients include RG Live, East London Shakespeare Festival, Second Hand Dance and Sadler's Wells.
MARKETING - ELODIE FORAY
Elodie Foray works in all aspects of theatre, as an actor, a director, a playwright and in graphic designing and digital marketing. There are few briefs that are more fun than “it’s Shakespeare and it’s also an underground cabaret”. This is Elodie's fourth time working with the ELSF and they love doing it every time.
PHOTOGRAPHER- Marble & Sky Photography
Marble & Sky Photography is run by Hannah Brandon, an ex-Musical Theatre performer turned photographer. She trained at Urdang and Mountview before finding her passion for Theatre Photography and Headshots. Hannah has photographed performances at the Royal Albert Hall, The Royal College of Music, Shaftesbury Theatre & many more amazing venues. She is very excited to be working with the East London Shakespeare Festival. Shakespeare has a place in Hannahs heart after performing in Twelfth Night as Viola when she was part of Shakespeare School Festival. Hannah is available for actor's headshots and theatre photography all year round so get in contact if you have a show coming up or need some new headshots.
Instagram- @marbleandskyphotography
Website- https://marbleandsky.wixsite.com/marbleandsky
Email- marbleandsky@outlook.com
Our Venues
As an outdoor production, it was really important that our venues were as magical as our story. We have found some East London gems, that truly reflect the East London Shakespeare Festival vibe.
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HIGHAM HILL HUB
Thank you to Lillian Gerber for allowing us to use the magical outdoor space at Higham Hill Hub.
Higham Hill Hub is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation based within Higham Hill Park whose social purpose is to facilitate, host and deliver a diverse range of activities & seasonal events for all generations of the community.
Higham Hill Hub’s facilities include a hall, small kitchen, toilets (including disabled toilet), and limited storage. The 6m x 12m hall includes a sprung dance floor and mirrors.
The building is wheelchair accessible and we also have a large, private lawn.
The Hub is affordable to hire for everything from classes and events, to meetings and birthday parties.
CENTRAL PARK
Many thanks to Monica Thomas from Newham Council, Nicole Mackie from the parks team and Sophie from Central Park Cafe.
Central Park in East Ham is not just a green space in the heart of East London; it is a repository of collective memories and a testament to the community’s spirit. Through historical records and the oral recollections of local residents, we explore the significant events and personal stories that have shaped Central Park over the years and its enduring significance to the community.
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KUKOOLALA CAFE GARDEN AT LEYTON JUBILEE PARK
Thank you to Joy at KukooLaLa Cafe & Chris Bonney from Greenspace, for allowing us to use the lovely space behind the cafe.
KukooLala has charm by the bucket load, and we can't wait to add some fairy magic into the mix.
We have been awarded the permanent contract to run the community cafe in Leyton Jubilee Park. It is our hope to make the cafe a meeting point for local residents to come together in a diverse warm space. Whether you need a formal, but light & airy meeting room or a magical garden, we can make your event a success. Just feeling lonely? Come for a chat. Are you a new parent or carer & looking to meet others? Check out our events or just head on down anytime & let the little one(s) have a go at our toybox for a well deserved break.
HOXTON COMMUNITY GARDENS
Thank you to Max Mason & Paul Fleming at Hoxton Trust.
The Hoxton Trust exists to make the area of Hoxton and Shoreditch a better place for everyone who lives or works there.
We do this by supporting those most economically and socially disadvantaged with opportunities to build their levels of skills, knowledge and confidence; by providing free legal advice and assistance to those without the means to otherwise obtain it; and by managing and maintaining a community garden for the health, wellbeing and general enjoyment of everyone.
Our award-winning garden is a private space for the benefit of everyone who lives and works in the area. It is maintained by our volunteers and is not a council-run park. The garden provides an oasis of beautiful green space in a densely populated urban area where more than 80% of people rent a flat (3 times the national average), most without their own garden. As well as a place to be, the garden hosts numerous groups and community events that help reduce isolation, break down barriers and boost social cohesion.
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LLOYD PARK
Thank you to Ellie Mortimer at Greenspace, for allowing us to use the beautiful Lloyd Park.
Right in the heart of Walthamstow, Lloyd Park is the epicentre of many wonderful events and community activities.
Lloyd Park was first opened by the Victorians on 28 July 1900. It was named in honour of the Lloyd family, who lived in Water House (now the William Morris Gallery). When they moved, the family gifted their land to the Council, with the condition that it be turned into a public park. The Council also bought additional land, in 1899 and 1912 (now Aveling Fields) and the park became the size it is today.
Prior to it being a park, Aveling Fields was farmland and today’s paths run along original field boundaries. The southern area of the park was private gardens for Water House; a gentleman’s country residence. Other famous inhabitants include William Morris; the gardens helped inspire his love of nature, which he expressed in his designs.
We can trace the history of the land as far back as the medieval period, when it’s thought the moat was built; originally to defend a house that would have been situated within it.
You can find out more about the park’s history, by looking at the twelve interpretation panels we have in the park. They’ve got lots of fascinating old photographs and maps of the park and beautiful William Morris inspired designs.To commemorate the centenary of Lloyd Park, a time capsule was buried in the lawn outside the William Morris Gallery on 28 July 2000.
Riverside East is East London’s newest food and drink destination in the heart of Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Our venue is perfect for those looking for a relaxed and fun-filled dining experience, where the food offering provides something for everyone, with all day café dishes, street-food, fine dining, bottomless brunch and Sunday roasts. Our spaces are also hireable for private events.
HIGHAMS PARK
Thank you to Gordon Turpin and Toni Hanshaw from the wonderful Humphry's Cafe
Set in the beautiful park “The Highams Park” and surrounded by nature with stunning views of Highams Park Lake, Humphry’s is a vibrant but relaxing café and community space.
Humphry’s is also home to many community based activities and is used as an exhibition space for work by local artists
LAUDERDALE HOUSE
Thank you to Katherine Ives & Helen Lakeland from Lauderdale House
Packed full of activities, which you can discover in our What’s On section, and revealing historic features dating back almost 450 years, Lauderdale is a ‘house of many colours’ where no one day is like another. We offer different things to a wide range of different people, always seeking to reflect the original charitable gift of the house and park as a centre for arts and heritage for all and a ‘garden for the gardenless’. We are:
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a creative and tranquil place of inspiration
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a personal and unique building in which to celebrate key life changing events – weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, memorials
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a vibrant hub for the arts and social interaction; a place to experiment and a place to discover new creativity
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a window into almost 450 years of history
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a valuable and stimulating resource for schools
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a provider of new opportunities through our extensive community and outreach programme
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an organisation where volunteers can gain experience to help them find jobs or simply enjoy being part of our team which makes all of this possible
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an excuse to enjoy a cup or tea or a sausage sandwich looking at the park, or have a rest while walking the dog!
ALEXANDRA PALACE
CRYSTAL PALACE PARK CONCERT PLATFORM
Thank you to the Trustees of Crystal Palace Park Trust
Update: Following the hugely successful #BackTheBowl crowdfunding campaign, which raised over £65,000 thanks to individual pledges of more than 1,000 people and the generous support of the Mayor of London, the new stage surface was installed in July 2022. This marks the end of the first phase of our project to revive Crystal Palace Bowl, with the next phase aiming to modernise the backstage area and improve access to the venue.
https://www.crystalpalaceparktrust.org/pages/crystal-palace-bowl
CLISSOLD PARK
Thank you to Amarah White
One of Hackney’s best loved traditional parks, Clissold Park was opened in 1889 and has held a Green Flag award since 2006. Green Flags are awarded annually to the best green spaces in the country.
Clissold Park and House were renovated in 2011 as part of an £8.9 million Heritage Lottery Fund restoration project.
Situated in the beautiful Clissold House, Park Life Café is the perfect place to unwind.
Enjoy locally roasted barista crafted Coffee which pairs excellently with tempting cakes and bakes that are made right here in Hackney.
Freshly made ‘to go’ food options are available for a tasty bite to eat on the move, as well as signature hot dishes from the kitchen. With a wide range of options available to suit all tastes and dietary requirements, there’s something for everyone.
VALENTINES PARK
Thank you to Janice Hunte from Vision and the wonderful team at Valentine Park's Gardeners Cottage Cafe.
Valentines Park is our premiere award winning park. It has been given a Green Flag Award and has been voted top 10 in the country in the People's Choice Award on 5 occasions.
The park was originally the parkland to Valentines Mansion and Gardens.
Valentines Mansion was built in around 1696 - the Council acquired the house in 1912. Since then, the mansion has been home to wartime refugees, a hospital, a public health centre, and a council housing department.
After standing empty for 15 years, Valentines was restored in 2009 with Redbridge council and Heritage Lottery funds, and strong community support to create the historic but contemporary venue it is today.
Gardener's Cottage Cafe
Nestled in the Kitchen Garden you’ll find the Gardener’s Cottage Cafe. Open everyday, the cafe has ample indoor and outdoor seating, Choose from a variety of hot and cold drinks, snacks, cakes, soups, sandwiches and other lunch options.
The Charterhouse gardens comprise Charterhouse Square and six courtyard gardens within our walls. Charterhouse square is a rare green space open to everyone to enjoy on the border of Islington and the City of London. It was redesigned and opened to the public thanks to a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2017.
LANGTHORNE PARK AMPHITHEATRE
Thank you to Helen Crockford from Leytonstone Toy Library.
Our mission is to provide a safe and stimulating space for families with under 5s to play, learn and interact and loan toys which don't cost the Earth. We are woking in partnership with the local community to run the Friends of Langthorne Park.
The Old Bowling Green in SPRINGFIELD PARK
Thank you to Amarah White from Hackney Council.
Springfield Park officially opened as a public park in 1905 and takes its name from its unique geology. The park was formed from the grounds of three private houses, of which only Springfield House (The White House) remains.
The park is 14.73 hectares in size, with formal gardens and conservation areas and has extensive views across Walthamstow Marshes.
The park holds a Green Flag award. Green Flags are given to the best green spaces in the country and are awarded each year to make sure the quality of the green space remains high.
Royal Museums Greenwich comprises the Royal Observatory, Cutty Sark, National Maritime Museum and Queen’s House. We are also home to The Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre and the Caird Library and Archive.
Together we’re dedicated to enriching people’s understanding of the sea, the exploration of space, and Britain's role in world history.
A new type of venue, Big Penny Social is all about community - it’s a pub, arts centre and town square all rolled into one. A place to eat, drink and be entertained; for all ages and every walk of life; a place to enjoy a quick pint, or a place that’s easily large enough for you to host birthday parties and after-work drinks for the whole team, watch live sports, entertain the family or gather for a national celebration.
Located just off Blackhorse Lane, Walthamstow, Big Penny Social is enormous - with a total capacity of 1400, it’s got a beer hall, versatile events space and one of the largest sunny beer gardens in East London.
The food and drink menu focuses on seasonal ingredients and local producers, headlined by a rotating selection of beers, sourdough pizzas and Sunday roasts. Everyone’s needs are catered for, with alcohol-free beer on tap, a huge selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes, plenty of choices for kids, and options for gluten-free (and other) special diets.
A wide programme of live events, from live music, big-screen sports and movie nights to family discos, craft markets and comedy – plus free ping pong, pool, table football and board games – ensures there is fun and entertainment for one and all.
A warm welcome awaits everyone (and their dog!) to enjoy great beer, great food and great times spent together. Because that's what Big Penny is all about.
We have been hugely lucky to have our fair share of fairies, who have made this project possible.
Our Partners
WALTHAM FOREST COUNCIL
This project has been funded by Community Ward Funding from Higham Hill.
Special thanks to Cllr's Karen Bellamy. Thanks to Simon Miller, Paul Douglas, Grace Williams & Stella Creasey for sharing the project.
They have been on board from the very early stages of this project and their continuing support and guidance has been invaluable.
ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND
This project has been funded by Arts Council England.
Their fund supports thousands of artists and creative projects per year. Let’s Create, our strategy for the next ten years, describes their vision that, by 2030, England will be a country in which the creativity of each of us is valued and given the chance to flourish and where everyone has access to a remarkable range of high quality cultural experiences.
NEWHAM COUNCIL
Many thanks to Monica Thomas at Newham Council for supporting the project with space in kind, marketing and community outreach.
A huge thank you to Stow Brothers for generously covering our print. They have supported the project and have been sharing and spreading the word!
Established in 2014 in the heart of one of London’s most diverse and energetic areas,t they are estate agents with a real desire to redress the balance and do things differently.
A huge thank you to the John Armitage Charitable Trust for supporting the project and our
Community Engagement Programme.
An enormous thank you to Max and Ruth Peters at CentrE17, which has been our main home for rehearsals.
If you enjoy our show, be sure to check out CentrE17's amazing programme of theatre, which spans from new writing, Children's Theatre and plenty of opportunites to get involved.
Joy at KukooLala Cafe has been a huge supporter of the project when we first shared our idea in 2020!
Kukoolala is kindly donating rehearsal & storage space.
Food & refreshments will be available during the show and all of it is delicious!
Lillian Gerber at Higham Hill Hub was one of the first people to hear about our idea for the festival and has been an invaluable support since then. They are kindly donating performance, storage and rehearsal space.
The outdoor space at Higham Hill Hub is truly magical; and hosts a huge array of projects for the community, including fantastic charitable work with PinPoint Inc & COG.
Huge thanks to Sousous and the Le Delice team for arranging the use of the toilets at Lloyd Park.
Many thanks to Max and the Hoxton Trust who is kindly providing storage space.
Food & refreshments will be available during the show and all of it is delicious!
Many thanks to the team at Crystal Palace
Park for venue support & supporting outreach.
Many thanks to Toni from Humphry's Cafe who is kindly arranging the use of toilets at The Highams Park.
An enormous thank you to Helen Crockford & the amazing Leytonstone Toy Library for supporting ELSF's performances in Langthorne Park.
Many thanks to the team at Big Penny Social for venue support & sharing the project.
Many thanks to Sophie & the team for providing electricity & arranging the use of toilets.
The cafe will be open during the show serving delicious food & drinks,
Many thanks to Sammy and Ash for sharing details about the show and performance opportunities.
ELSF partnered with BCE to share opportunities for students to get involved. We have had a blast working with these talented young people, who have conducted cast interviews, photographed rehearsals and helped with social media & ushering.
Huge thanks to Graham Goddard for organising.
SWIRE CHARITABLE TRUST
This project received support from Swire Chartiable Trust.
The Swire Charitable Trust is an independent UK grant making trust. Since 1975 we have been supporting charities that share our commitment to delivering positive and lasting change to UK society. We receive our funding from John Swire & Sons Ltd, the parent company of the Swire Group.
UpFront Theatre Company is kindly lending us their tour vehicle for the run. They have also provided assistance in writing the schools workshop.
UpFront Theatre Company is an educational theatre company providing interactive PSHE workshops for KS2-5.
London Theatre1 have kindly
shared the project
HACKNEY COUNCIL
Many thanks to Hackney Council, who have been sharing the project and engagement opportunities. As well as all their help securing some beautiful performance venues.
VISION & REDBRIDGE COUNCIL
Many thanks to Vision who have been sharing the project and engagement opportunities. As well as all their help securing some beautiful performance venues.
Many thanks to our trustees, Dani Moseley, Anna Jordan, Lizzy Renihan & Catherine Forrester.
And thanks to Lizzy Renihan at Natural Voices, Sammy at RAW Academy, UpFront Theatre Company, Act Out Performing Arts, ELSF Young Company, Mary Dunne Theatre School for spreading the word about the project and sharing our opportunities to get involved.
Special thanks to Joe & Emma Ward, Jack Bence & Rob Dent, Chrissy Bence for their ongoing support, spreading the word & assistance with transport and kit.
© East London Shakespeare Company Ltd, Registered in England, Company No 064-961760
East London based theatre company