OUTDOOR theatre returns to the shores of Coniston with two performances from Illyria this summer.

By Karl Steel ( email )

The ever-popular touring company arrive at Brantwood for the first time in 2016 on Tuesday July 26 to perform William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.

And in the centenary of Roald Dahl's birth, they return on Tuesday August 23 to perform one of his best-known works - Danny The Champion of the World.

Tickets are now on sale for Brantwood’s annual outdoor theatre shows, which take place in the scenic lakeside meadow overlooking Coniston Water and the fells, providing a spectacular back-drop for Illyria’s stage.

Illyria has a deservedly unparalleled reputation for the clarity and authenticity of its Shakespearean style, performing each play in the open-air with only a handful of props and no scenery - as almost all of Shakespeare's plays were originally conceived.

They achieve the seemingly impossible by performing the plays uncut with five actors, the number it is believed Shakespeare’s own company used when touring the provinces.

The productions are slick, physical and imaginative in execution, and are played with characteristic briskness. Each is inspired by performance techniques of Elizabethan touring troupes such as live music and song, an inclusion of the audience in the proceedings, contemporary references and a robustness of style.

In Illyria’s 25th anniversary season they are reprising the show they performed in their first year, A Midsummer Night's Dream. The play follows four couples – three human and one fairy – whose passions are sorely tested when a troupe of amateur theatricals rehearse a play about a doomed love affair.

The stage version of Danny, the Champion of the World is the 5th Roald Dahl title Illyria have performed. Danny and his devoted father live in a caravan and operate the petrol station and garage. When Danny turns nine he is devastated to find out about his father’s secret passion for pheasant-poaching in the estate of the nasty, greedy Victor Hazell, the local wealthy landowner.

Soon, with a little help from the village, Danny finds himself the mastermind behind the most incredible and exciting plot ever attempted against Victor Hazell.

Theatre tickets are available from Brantwood, or online at www.illyria.uk.com

Gates open at 6pm and the performances start at 7pm. Please bring your own seating or rug and a picnic.

Performances will go ahead whatever the weather so come prepared.

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