11 June 2007
‘Pleasure Gardens’ performance at Wanstead Park
The Temple, Wanstead Park
Sunday 24 June, 7.00pm
To celebrate Wanstead Park’s 125th year as a dedicated public
space the City of London Corporation, which owns and manages the
park, has commissioned a new performing arts event to be staged
using a cast drawn from the local community.
‘Pleasure Gardens’ will be performed in front of The Temple on
the evening of Sunday 24 June. Tickets are limited and will be
available to buy from the Epping Forest Visitor Centre from
Wednesday 13 June.
The performance is based on the story of the last owner of the
magnificent Wanstead House, Catherine Tylney. She married a nephew
of the Duke of Wellington and lived to regret the day, as he spent
all her money within only a few years. The house was put up for
auction in 1822, but no one wanted to buy it, so it was demolished
for building materials. The show focuses on an evening at a
pleasure garden, such as the famous one at Vauxhall. Catherine and
her husband arrive and slowly his behaviour deteriorates and the
gossip mongers start wagging tongues.
The show is a combination of Regency orchestral and light choral
material, dancing and drama. Members of the audiences will be able
to buy fruit punch and trinkets from the stallholders and peddlers
who ply their trade as part of the show, and there is even a rumour
that Catherine and William will arrive at The Temple in a horse
drawn landau!
Gates will open at 6.45pm and the performance will start at
7.00pm. The audience is invited to bring a picnic to eat in the
park before entering the Temple enclosure for the show.
Tickets cost £12 for adults and £8 for children. They can be
obtained by phoning the Epping Forest Visitor Centre on 0208 508
0028 from Wednesday 13 June.
Ends
Notes for editors
Epping Forest:
Epping Forest, a major public open space and a site of
international importance for its cultural and wildlife value, is
owned and managed by the City of London. Since the 1870’s it has
had a policy of protecting open spaces for the enjoyment of
Londoners. This policy was subsequently adopted by central and
local government and the Green Belt was born.
Further information about Epping Forest
Press enquires to Michelle Poole at the City of London:
0207 332 3450 or
email.