16 June 2009
Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream comes to Wanstead
Park
The perfect play for a long June evening, Shakespeare’s ‘A
Midsummer Night’s Dream’ will be performed by Illyria in the
grounds of The Temple, Wanstead Park on Saturday, 20 June. Bring a
picnic, a bottle, a hamper or a few tasty snacks and make a
credit-crunching evening of it for under £10 per head.
Chairman of the Epping Forest Committee Barbara Newman at the
City of London said: “Illyria always delivers the highest standards
of entertainment and I am delighted they are returning again to
Wanstead Park this year. I am sure it will be a magical evening of
fun for both young and old.”
Wanstead Park, now part of Epping Forest, is a listed historic
landscape and is an atmospheric place to watch such a wonderful
play as light fades over the replanted formal avenue, the bats fly
across the ornamental waters and the noise of London traffic fades
into the distance.
It is an intimate setting where the performers are really close
to the audience and can carry them through the emotional twists and
turns of a Shakespearian plot.
Illyria, the touring company are well-known for their dynamic
and lively performances. ‘Boundless energy and fabulously executed
comic scenes’ (Sunday Times) says it all. Even young children are
bound to find the exploits of Bottom funny in this performance!
During the interval, stroll along to see the romantic ruins of
the Grotto or the vista of the Long Canal, remnants of magnificent
landscaped gardens that were said to rival Versailles.
Whilst you’re in the Park, discover from our Temple displays the
tragic story of the last Wanstead heiress, Catherine Tylney Long,
wooed by a Prince and won by a Regency bounder, the nephew of the
Duke of Wellington. This real-life story, contemporary with Jane
Austen, was played out at Wanstead and led to its destruction.
Worried by the weather? As Illyria state, ‘Cricket is for wimps.
Rain does not stop Illyria.’ We can’t guarantee a dry evening but
the current forecast is that June will be warmer than average with
less rain this side of the country than usual. And Illyria will
play on regardless!
Ends
Notes to editors:
Tickets are £9.95 (adult): £4.95 (children 16 and under) and can
be booked online or by ringing Epping Forest
Visitor Centre on 020 8508 0028. We’ll be offering hot drinks
during the interval.
Although the play is more suitable for children over 8, families
may bring their younger children (£1.95 for under 3s) as long as
they don’t disturb other members of the audience. Bring something
cosy for them to snuggle down in.
For further information please contact:
Susanna Howard
Press Officer
City of London Corporation
Susanna.howard@cityoflondon.gov.uk
020 7332 3450