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Home > TOP-STORY > HandleBards hit the pedals again to bring you a summer of outdoor theatre

HandleBards hit the pedals again to bring you a summer of outdoor theatre

By Caroline King - May 26, 2023Posted in : Nature and Outdoors, Theatre, TOP-STORY

The HandleBards are a small Shakespearean troupe who tour by bike. And to celebrate their 10th anniversary, they’re climbing back into the saddle this summer.

HandleBards A Midsummer Night's Dream ©Rah Petherbridge Photography
HandleBards’ A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Image: ©Rah Petherbridge Photography)

The quirky ensemble are pedalling to open-air theatres, castles, and gardens across England and Scotland. They’re sustainably travelling more than 1,500 miles to bring you over 100 performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The set, props and costumes are all transported in their electric support vehicle while the actors are going solely by bike.

This latest show is a great opportunity to pack a picnic and enjoy some culture in the outdoors. And who knows, the sun may just hold out! The shows are family friendly and suitable for ages eight and over. Each show runs for two hours with an interval. So, it’s a fun way to experience a Shakespeare play, without the stuffiness.

HandleBards - Paul Moss as Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream
Paul Moss as Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Over the last decade, The HandleBards have travelled 15,000 miles with 17 productions to 16 countries. And they’ve performed to roughly 150,000 audience members. Their company ethos is to spread environmental activism through joy. Not just with touring, but with their national schools tour and community-driven work in and around Sheffield. Never ones for staying still, they’re currently cooking up new ideas. So, future productions could see cycle-powered batteries powering entire productions and outdoor theatres crafted from living trees.

Looking for more theatre stuff to get your thespian fix? Click this way!

When: On until 9th September 2023.
Where: Across England and Scotland
£: Ticket prices vary, depending on the venue.

More info: www.handlebards.com

Tagged With: Barbican, Bedfordshire events, Bristol events, Cambridgeshire events, Clackmannanshire events, Derbyshire events, Dorset events, East, East Sussex events, Essex events, Family events, Gloucestershire events, Hampshire events, Hertfordshire events, Inverness-shire events, Kent events, Lancashire events, Leicestershire events, London, Manchester events, Merseyside events, Newcastle events, North East, North West, North Yorkshire events, Northamptonshire events, Northumberland events, Nottinghamshire events, Perthshire events, Salford events, Scotland, Scottish Borders, South East, South West, South Yorkshire events, Suffolk events, Surrey events, West Midlands, West Sussex events, William Shakespeare, Wiltshire events

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HandleBards hit the pedals again to bring you a summer of outdoor theatre
HandleBards A Midsummer Night's Dream ©Rah Petherbridge Photography

The HandleBards are a Shakespearean troupe who tour by bike. And to celebrate their 10th anniversary, they’re climbing back into the saddle…

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