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GSC 2019 Open-Air Season with Eagle Radios Peter Gordon Playing Falstaff in The Merry Wives Of Windsor

2nd May 2019

13 June – 27 July Surrey’s award-winning professional Guildford Shakespeare Company (GSC) announce their 14th Annual Open-Air Season, with two of Shakespeare’s best-loved comedies TWELFTH NIGHT and THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, for a double-bill of fabulous alfresco theatre. First up in June, a shipwreck, twins and the most famous pair of yellow stockings in history take centre stage in the sublime masterpiece, TWELFTH NIGHT. Hilarious and heart-breaking, TWELFTH NIGHT features some of Shakespeare’s most beautiful songs and best-loved characters: Sir Toby Belch, Viola, Sir Andrew Aguecheek and the pompous Malvolio, who is determined to suppress any form of fun… In director Charlotte Conquest’s (Two Gents, Romeo & Juliet, The Comedy of Errors) production, the eccentric world of Illyria will be transported to the classic British seaside of the 1950s. As the warmth of a midsummer dusk descends, expect fabulous music, elegant poetry and brilliantly staged comedy right in the heart of Guildford. Following Twelfth Night, the same cast will relocate to an exciting new venue for the rollicking comedy THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. The enchanting Stoke Park Railway at the top of the park will become the playground for one of Shakespeare’s greatest comedy creations: Sir John Falstaff. Shakespeare’s only comedy set in England, sees the irrepressible Falstaff in love (or is that lust?) with two respectable suburban ladies, and their husband’s money. Unbeknown to him, the two merry wives hatch a plan to teach the old rogue, and their frantic husbands, a thoroughly good lesson. MERRY WIVES is a delicious confection of feel-good fun and has inspired classic sitcoms from Fawlty Towers to The Good Life to The Vicar of Dibley. Given this heritage, Caroline Devlin directs a 1970s inspired show, complete with a toe-tapping soundtrack, bell-bottom slacks, velour shirts, and who knows, a British Rail train might actually turn up on time! Casting was underway at the time of this release and the full company will be announced later in the Spring. Full season details are on the GSC website, including tickets, access and parking. Licensed bar and picnics welcome at both venues. General Booking opens 30 April.

COMPANY
Cast to be announced later in the Spring.
Director(s) Charlotte Conquest (Twelfth Night) / Caroline Devlin (Merry Wives)
Designer Neil Irish
Design Assistant Anett Black
Sound Design Matt Eaton
Lighting Designer Mark Dymock (Merry Wives)
Producers Sarah Gobran/Matt Pinches

Dates & Times
TWELFTH NIGHT
Guildford Castle Gardens, Castle Street, Guildford, GU1 3XZ
13 – 29 June (excl. Sundays)
Evenings 7.30pm
Audio Description Sat 29 June, 2.30pm
Press Night Monday 17 June
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
Stoke Park Railway, London Road, Guildford, GU1 1TU
13 – 27 July (excl. Mondays)
Evenings 7.30pm; Sat Mats 2.30pm (26 July 3pm); Sun mats (4pm 14, 21 July)
Audio Description Sat 26 July, 3pm
Press Night Tuesday 16 July

Tickets
Full £26
Concessions £23
(over 65, students, Equity, Jobseekers, Reg Disabled)
Children £16.50 (under 16)
Family tickets £78 (2 children, 2 full)
Schools £15 pupils (1 teacher free for every 10)
Twelfth Night Preview 13 June £18 (£16.50 children)
Special Offers
Save £5 when booking for both plays at the same time.
Groups Buy 10 get 11th free

Booking Info
GSC Friends’ Priority Booking 23 April Public Booking 30 April
www.guildford-shakespeare-company.co.uk
GSC Box Office 01483 304384
(DO NOT use venue numbers)
NO BOOKING FEE
GSC PRESS CONTACT Matt Pinches ~ 07971 234141
info@guildford-shakespeare-company.co.uk