Prepare yourself for a high-octane summer of cunning schemes, love sickness and cross-dressing, courtesy of the gang at innovative theatre company Peculius. From the 2nd of July to the 23rd of August The HandleBards, their four-strong, all-male troupe of travelling players, will be pedaling from Glasgow to London as a World First project – a cycling tour of two of Shakespeare’s greatest plays: Romeo and Juliet and Twelfth Night.
To add to the challenge, The HandleBards, who are supported by the Old Vic Theatre, will also carry all the required set, props, costumes and camping equipment necessary for the 926 mile journey with them on their bikes, with no back-up vehicle in support. They will cover a distance equivalent to that between Land’s End and John o’ Groats.
All set and props used in the productions are restricted only to items that would genuinely be found either on a bicycle or in a campsite, with the team’s bikes being rigged up to power various contraptions onstage. The use of bicycles as transport for the escapade will also save 20.4 tonnes of CO2 emissions, as compared to the same adventure undertaken by car. The four HandleBards will play multiple characters in each 1930s-set play, fully engaging showgoers with some unusually energetic audience interaction.
The group will pass through 25 heritage venues across Scotland and England, arriving at the Larmer Tree Gardens near Shaftesbury on 18th August 2013.
Gates open at 5.30pm and performance starts at 6.30pm. The venue is open air and not seated so bring rugs or deck chairs. There are refreshments, bar and ample parking on site.
Tickets are £12 for adults, £10 for concessions, £8 for children under 16. Please call the Larmer Tree 01725 516971. www.larmertreegardens.co.uk
