Live Theatre comes to Shillington Gardens
Wandsworth Council is proud to bring two, free live-theatre performances to Shillington Gardens, near Clapham Junction, as part of its Love Parks campaign this summer. The performances will take place on Tuesday 25th August, and Wednesday 26th August 2020.
Scenes from Shakespeare, aimed at young people, will be performed live, followed by Estimated Time, a play about the need for human connection and celebrates the need for human connection following the coronavirus outbreak.
There will be two different shows over the course of the two days, with a number of performances of each show.
The first show is Shakespeare OUT LOUD! presenting Shakespeare Scenes. We will see professional actors perform a selection of significant scenes from each of the Shakespearean texts featured on the National Curriculum: Romeo & Juliet, Macbeth, Othello and Much Ado About Nothing.
After each scene, a question and answer session will follow to allow the young audience to ask any questions they may have about the plot, the characters or the themes. This performance is suitable for age 6 years +, encouraging children to engage in Shakespeare. The first performance is 11am to 12pm and the second performance from 12 to 1pm on both days.
The second show is Estimated Waiting Time, suitable for ages 14 years + due to smoking and swearing involved. Estimated Waiting Time is a new play by Hackney playwright Mark Lindow, set on a housing estate’s playground. Alyssa (42) and Liam (15), two lonely and isolated people, form an unlikely friendship over cigarettes, dreams and college.
With COVID 19 creating more isolation within communities, this play highlights the need for human connection and celebrates the bonds that can be made in unlikely places. The first performance is 5 to 6pm and second performance is 7 to 8pm on both days.
Councillor Steffi Sutters, Cabinet Member for Community Services and Open Spaces says:
”Live performances are a great way to get the community involved in their local park or open space, so I’m excited that we’re able to host two events in the much-loved Shillington Gardens.”
The free theatre performances allow all residents to enjoy this unique experience, and give us another reason to appreciate the many parks we have to offer in the borough.”
Lauren Reed, the Production Manager for Estimated Waiting time and Shakespeare OUT LOUD! says:
”I am really excited to be working together with Wandsworth Council to put live theatre on for the local community of Wandsworth. With lockdown, it’s been such an isolating time and theatre has been hard hit, but it’s wonderful to be back bringing wonderful acting to people’s front door, some literally!”
The performances are free with no need to book, but spaces will be limited to adhere to social distancing guidelines. Please bring your own picnic and blanket along with you and enjoy the performances.
A massive thank you to Philip Hedley CBE, ex Artistic Director of Theatre Royal Stratford East, who very generously donated to the Estimated Waiting Time production. The crowdfunding is still live for this production, who provide free theatre to communities. Visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/estimated-waiting-time to donate.