Outdoor theatre company Heartbreak Productions will be touring the UK in summer 2017 with more than 130 performances of five new productions which it will take to more than 90 venues.
There will be a new adaptation of David Walliams’s Billionaire Boy, a “fresh and quirky” interpretation of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey and a “unique” perspective on Shakespeare’s unconventional love story The Taming of the Shrew. Completing the line-up are family favourite The Secret Garden and Heartbreak’s original murder-mystery spoof, Murder on the Terrace.
The productions can be seen at outdoor venues from Scotland to Cornwall and from west Wales to East Anglia.
Heartbreak, based in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, has been touring for more than 25 years but this is the first time the company has taken so many shows out at one time.
Executive director Maddy Kerr said, “it’s a really exciting but hectic time for us. Doing such a mix of shows ensures that there’s something for everyone, so audiences of all ages and tastes can get involved and experience outdoor theatre in some of the most amazing venues throughout the UK.”
A team of directors will help get the shows on the road including Dominic Waldren, Paul Chesterton, Kristoffer Huball and Adam Morley.
Peter Mimmack, Heartbreak’s artistic director, added, “we’re delighted that this team of talented directors have been able to join us. Between them, they have such a wealth of experience—perfect for this year’s productions.”
In Billionaire Boy, Heartbreak will be producing its third David Walliams adaptation after touring Mr Stink and Ratburger.
Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey is a newly-commissioned adaptation by Dani Carbery who has written for Heartbreak before. David Kerby-Kendall has also written for Heartbreak on many occasions and summer 2017 marks the return of his murder-mystery spoof, Murder on the Terrace.
Each production opens in Jephson Gardens, Leamington Spa and will tour the UK throughout the summer, visiting various outdoor venues including National Trust mansions, city parks and private gardens until Wednesday 13 September.