Latest News - December, 2005

The York Shakespeare Project has put together an ambitious programme which will see a quick return to Rowntree Park for an open air A Midsummer Night's Dream next July and a War of the Roses version of the Henry VI trilogy in the Guildhall the following summer.

The group is out to capitalise on its successful Romeo and Juliet venture with the City of York Council Leisure and Culture Department. More than 1,500 people saw the show in Rowntree Park last summer.

Peter Boardman, cuItural events manager, said, "We are delighted to have the project back after a successful Romeo and Juliet. It is exactly the sort of event we want to encourage in Rowntree Park."

The group also wants to fulfill a long-term wish to put on the Henrys in the Guildhall. And in the middle of those two daunting productions, it plans a version of King John at a local venue next winter.

A shortlist has been drawn up for a professional director for A Midsummer Night's Dream which will take place from Tuesday 18th July after the York Waggon plays. They are looking at venues for King John and have agreed dates with the City of York Council to hire the Guildhall to put on Henry VI in two parts on alternate nights in July 2007.

Raymond Baggaley, the project chair, said, "We are getting a track record and are pleased we have the next eighteen months mapped out. We are delighted the council has such confidence in us to allow us to do another open air show in Rowntree Park.

"We have a bank of experience both on and back stage but auditions will be open to everyone as usual and we want to balance present talent with new blood."

For more details see website www.yorkshakespeare.org.uk

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