Fancy enjoying a spot of Shakespeare in the open air this summer? Well, you’re in luck. The popular Shakespearean troupe are back with another bicycle-powered tour. And they’ll be pedalling to outdoor venues and open-air theatres across the UK. So, you can catch them as they roam town and country. From London to Liverpool and Luton to Lauder they’re sure to be popping up somewhere near you.
The HandleBards are reprising their hit production of Shakespeare’s classic comedy Twelfth Night. So, you can expect drunkenness, frivolity and cross-dressing aplenty.
But that’s not all. As they’re committed to providing environmentally-friendly entertainment, The HandleBards are travelling more than 1,500 miles by bicycle. While an electric support vehicle will carry their set, props and costumes.
Who are the HandleBards?
The HandleBards began with a sense of adventure, a love of Shakespeare and a nifty little pun. Since four fearless friends pedalled Twelfth Night to 20 UK venues in 2013, they’ve grown into an internationally renowned theatre company. And now they bring their charmingly chaotic brand of Shakespeare to audiences all over the globe.
And because they care about the planet and want to promote sustainability and healthy living, The HandleBards travel by bike. Thanks to this, they’ve won the Edinburgh Fringe Sustainable Practice Award and were nominated for The Stage’s inaugural Sustainability Award. Oh, and they’ve cycled over 12,000 miles to date!
Where to catch them on tour
The HandleBards are heading out across the country from now until late summer. They’ll be calling at some really picturesque spots including gardens, parks and woodlands. As well as heritage and culture spaces including castles, abbeys and museums.
10th May 2022 at The Museum of the Order of St John, London
11th May 2022 at Oasis Farm Waterloo, London
17th May 2022 at JAGS Sports Club, London
19th May 2022 at Luton Hoo Estate, Luton
21st May 2022 at The Quarry Theatre, Bedford
22nd May 2022 at The Millennium Pavilion, Cambridgeshire
24th May 2022 at Stow Hall Gardens, King’s Lynn
25th May 2022 at Pensthorpe Natural Park, Norfolk
26th May 2022 at Castle Acre Priory, King’s Lynn
27th May 2022 at Norwich Theatre, Norwich
29th May 2022 at Diss Park, Norfolk
31st May 2022 at Framlingham Castle, Framlingham
2nd June 2022 at Medway Yacht Club, Rochester
3rd June 2022 at EM Forster Theatre, Kent
6th June 2022 at The Royal Over-Seas League, London
7th June 2022 at Osterley Park National Trust, London
8th June 2022 at Wellesley Woodlands, Surrey
11th June 2022 at Riverhill Himalayan Gardens, Sevenoaks
12th June 2022 at Painshill, Surrey
14th June 2022 at South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell
16th June 2022 at Westbury Manor Gardens, Fareham
17th June 2022 at Furzey Gardens, Hampshire
18th June 2022 at Rockbourne Roman Villa, Hampshire
19th June 2022 at Maumbury Rings, Dorchester
22nd June 2022 at Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis
23rd June 2022 at The Brewhouse, Taunton
24th June 2022 at The Hall, Bradford-On-Avon
25th June 2022 at National Trust Tyntesfield, Bristol
29th June 2022 at The Pound Arts Centre, Corsham
30th June 2022 at St Michaels Park, Cirencester
1st July 2022 at Painswick Rococo Garden, Gloucestershire
7th July 2022 at Watson Hall, Gloucestershire
14th July 2022 at Lyveden National Trust, Peterborough
15th July 2022 at Naseby Village Hall, Northampton
16th July 2022 at Castle Bromwich Gardens, Birmingham
19th July 2022 at Amphitheatre at Berryban Park, Gloucestershire
20th July 2022 at Coventry Cathedral, Coventry
21st July 2022 at Guildhall Museum, Leicester
22nd July 2022 at Moira Furnace Museum, Swadlincote
23rd July 2022 at Cromford Mills, Cromford
24th July 2022 at Monkey Park, Chesterfield
27th July 2022 at High Lea Park, Derbyshire
28th July 2022 at Ordsall Hall, Salford
31st July 2022 at The Reader, Liverpool
1st August 2022 at Lancaster Castle, Lancaster
10th August 2022 at Hexham Abbey, Hexham
11th August 2022 at Northumberlandia, Northumberland
13th August 2022 at Felton Park, Northumberland
14th August 2022 at Alnmouth Friary, Northumberland
16th August 2022 at The Alnwick Garden, Northumberland
18th August 2022 at Thirlestane Castle, Lauder
19th – 20th August 2022 at Assembly George Square Gardens, Edinburgh
21st August 2022 at Cawdor Castle, Cawdor
23rd August 2022 at All Saint’s Church, Newcastle upon Tyne
24th August 2022 at Durham Cathedral, Durham
26th August 2022 at Kiplin Hall, Richmond
27th August 2022 at Bolton Castle, North Yorkshire
28th August 2022 at Workhouse Museum Ripon, Harrogate
30th August 2022 at Merchant Adventurers’ Hall, York
1st September 2022 at Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield
2nd September 2022 at Heeley People’s Park, Sheffield
3rd September 2022 at Southwell Minster, Southwell
6th September 2022 at Northborough Manor, Peterborough
7th September 2022 at Kirby Hall, Northamptonshire
9th September 2022 at St Paul’s Walden Bury, Hertfordshire
11th September 2022 at Strawberry Hill House, Twickenham
14th September 2022 at Biggin Hill Memorial Museum, Westerham
15th September 2022 at Nymans National Trust, Haywards Heath
16th & 17th September 2022 at The Church Field, Witley
For more fun theatre, head over here!
When: 4th May – 17th September 2022
Where: At venues across the country. Venues are in the open air, so be prepared for the weather
£: Ticket prices vary, depending on the venue. Suitable for ages 8+ years
More info: www.handlebards.com/tickets