Shakespeare in the Summer returns this summer with a production of Love’s Labour’s Lost to be presented August 7, 8, 9 & 10, 2017 at 7pm on the lawn of Alverthorpe Manor at the Abington Art Center. The three arts organizations are excited to once again bring an affordable opportunity for audiences of all ages to experience the beauty of Shakespeare’s language in the beauty of the great outdoors.
Shakespeare in the Summer works within the Original Practices style of presenting Shakespeare, meant to simulate the way Shakespeare’s own company prepared his plays, and to rediscover a spontaneity, joy, and immediacy in performance. The show is cast, scripts distributed, and lines are learned without rehearsal. The actors will gather weekly to play games, study the play, learn techniques, and create an ensemble. As Benjamin Lloyd, Executive Director of White Pines says, “we are attempting to imitate the way Shakespeare’s actors prepared his plays for performance. It can be scary at first, but brings an unmatched spontaneity to performances.” Every performance is a new experience for the audience and the ensemble.
In addition, local musician Alex Bartlett is creating original music and Chrissie Leech of Jenkintown Arts Center will once again work with a children’s corps to create a dance interlude. Bridget Reilly Beauchamp, Artistic Director of Pulley & Buttonhole says, “we adore collaborating with Chrissie–her ideas are fun and challenging. She encourages the children—and the adults—to have physical fun with Shakespeare.”
Abington Art Center is looking forward to once again hosting this band of motley players. Marge Horner of AAC says, “this is the sort of thing we love here. Being able to come together with other local arts organizations to give our neighbors a chance to experience something exciting is what we’re here for.”
So bring a blanket, a picnic, and some bug spray and get ready to enjoy an evening of spontaneous Shakespeare under the stars!
Love’s Labour’s Lost August 7, 8, 9 and 10 at 7pm (gates open at 6) at Abington Art Center, 515 Meetinghouse Road, Jenkintown PA 19046. For information and tickets: www.shakespeareinthesummer.wordpress.com.
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