- A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM - by Shakespeare (Palace Court Theatre, Bournemouth)Palace Court Theatre, Bournemouth
This is presented by AUB Productions, ie drama students from the Arts University. It's quite short notice but those at La Casa Nova last night (May 16) seemed keen to return for the other end-of-term production. It does make the TNT schedule a bit Bard-heavy but not that many people are free to attend both events. You probably know the play - this is from their promo material...
Young lovers run away through a magical wood risking everything to be with each other, would-be actors risk their reputations, and fighting fairies risk the very fabric of our natural world, as hearts and worlds collide in Shakespeare’s much-loved comedy.
Can we be brave enough to open our heart to another? To risk transformation, rejection, jealousy, and being out of control? Can we step into the unknown, even when the world is upside-down and nothing makes sense? Can we take that risk, and trust that love will find a way? Will you come and dance with the King and Queen of the Fairies, and the King of Trouble Puck? Open your heart, and follow us into the enchanted wood…It's at the recently (semi)-restored Palace Court Theatre in Bournemouth. The theatre is a 1930s Art Deco building which was purchased by the University in 2020 and is now available for public performances after a 40-year hiatus. There are unconfirmed reports that they may have opened the new bar area in time for this event.
Tickets cost £13.20 (concessions £4.00) and are available here. Seats aren't numbered and we'll meet in the foyer from 7pm.
- PLAZA SUITE by Neil Simon (Bournemouth Little Theatre)Bournemouth Little Theatre Club, Bournemouth
This is the next Thursday Night Theatre event. It's a production of "Plaza Suite" at the Bournemouth Little Theatre.
Plaza Suite is a play in three acts, each of which follows a completely different set of characters dealing with various romance-related mishaps. The joining factor is that they're all staying in Suite 719 of New York's Plaza Hotel at different times. It's on in the West End with Sarah Jessica-Parker and Matthew Broderick. This is not that production...
Bournemouth Little Theatre is at 11 Jameson Road, Winton, BH9 2QD. Their website is HERE. If you haven't been before, please note that there's no car park but street parking is available in the evenings. It's above a garage and, sadly, there is no disabled access. There is a small bar tucked away at the back; pre-ordering interval drinks is a very good idea.
I will buy tickets for anyone who pays me in advance (that will be one month before the performance - [NOW DOING THIS ON 22 APRIL AS TICKETS ARE SELLING WELL]). Otherwise, you need to buy your own through the BLTClub website (link above). Tickets are £14, concessions £12, members £8 (so membership is a good idea if you're going to be a regular visitor). My bank details: D W Maxwell, 40-03-03, 21116088.
The theatre opens at 7pm and we'll meet in the bar from then onwards.
- MACBETH by William Shakespeare (Brownsea Open Air Theatre - BOAT)Poole Quay, Poole
This annual event has been going since 1964 and is well worth experiencing. The £30 ticket includes not only a seat in the theatre but also a return ferry from Poole Quay. We will meet on the quay in time to catch the 5pm ferry and then have a picnic on the grass outside the theatre. They have brought the start time forwards to 7pm this year to get people back to Poole at an earlier hour (it's also Shakespeare's shortest play, which should help).
The BOAT website has got lots of background and some nice pictures
and it's where you get tickets from.I will make a block booking at the end of March, so please pay me £30 before then if you want to sit with the group. This is earlier than usual, as the shows usually sell out (D W Maxwell, 40-03-03, 21116088). If you're not in that group, do let us know in the Comments section which ticket you have bought and then others can maybe book tickets next to you.
IMPORTANT NOTE ON RAIN:
Performances are scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. If the performance has to be cancelled due to the weather, it is held 24 hours later. You will only receive a refund if BOTH performances are cancelled (so make sure you're free on Thursday 1st August too).Park at the Poole Quay car park and pay beforehand to avoid that late-night queue at the payment machine when everyone disembarks the ferry together.
We'll meet for the 5pm ferry but your ticket will also be valid for the sailings at 4pm, 4.30pm, 5.40pm and 6.15pm (last boat).
Crucial quiche details nearer the time.