Summer Shakespeare Festival at the Great Northern Amphitheatre
Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor
If you’ve ever taken a lingering look at the basin of the amphitheatre just in front of the Great Northern Warehouse and thought that’d be a great space for an outdoor theatre production – then you’re in luck.
For three weeks this summer a brand new outdoor Summer Shakespeare Festival will descend on the Great Northern’s Amphitheatre.
Supported by Arts Council England funding, The Goat Mcr (Great Open Air Theatre, Manchester) are bringing a full programme of Shakespearean performances, family shows, interactive workshops and competitions to the beating heart of the city.
At the centre of the festival is a brand new production of Much Ado About Nothing developed in partnership with Manchester-based theatre company The Cream Based Loons. This fabulous retelling, featuring just five performers, has been written especially for the space and the people of Manchester. This show is a pay-what-you-can production with a whopping 18 shows running throughout the festival – so no one needs to miss out on any Shakespeare this summer.
The Tragedy of Macbeth by the award-winning London collective Flabbergast Theatre will run for two performances on 14 August too. An edgy interpretation with a powerful soundscape, Flabbergast bring immense physicality, ritualistic drumming and clowning to the bloodthirsty Shakespearean tragedy.
Written by David Visick, Waiting for Hamlet is a new play and the recipient of the 2018 Kenneth Branagh New Drama Writing award. The comedy drama reimagines King Hamlet and Yorick as two old fools caught up in a battle of wits. Lamphouse Theatre bring a lo-fi and playful retelling of Romeo and Juliet. With two actors and just one suitcase, this is a terrific show for youngsters who are just discovering Shakespeare for the first time.
The shows will go on come rain or shine – so make sure you’re dressed and prepared for all the eventualities expected of a Mancunian summer.
