Shakespeare in Lytham

It's boom time for Shakespeare in Lytham, as the second play in the Lytham Hall open air theatre season approaches.

Illyria will bring Oliver Gray's production of Shakespeare's The Tempest to Lytham Hall on Sunday 7 July and all eight online and local ticket outlets are doing a roaring trade. Two weeks before the production half of the 500 tickets had already been sold.

Julian Wilde, organiser of the 10th outdoor theatre season at the Grade 1 Listed Georgian Hall , feels that prospects are now promising for a full house of 500.

“We are way ahead at this stage of the bookings for last July's Merchant of Venice which was a sell out.

Illyria have built up a very loyal and enthusiastic following for their Shakespeare productions at Lytham Hall over the past ten years and I am especially delighted that David Sayers who played Shylock to great acclaim last summer is again amongst the cast.”

The Tempest will follow an encouraging if damp start to the season earlier this month when Chapterhouse Theatre Company attracted an audience of 275 to the Hall despite a week of rainy weather in the run up to the performance.

Illyria's cast of five bring the show to Lytham as one of 48 performances in just 71 days around the length and breadth of the UK, Ireland and Holland, with diverse venues including Chepstow Castle, Fulham Palace and Elgin Cathedral.

After four weeks of rehearsal with Illyria's artistic director Oliver Gray at the company's Cornwall base the company opened at Gyllyngdune Gardens at Falmouth on midsummer's day.

Actors Katy Helps, Nicola Foxfield, Chris Wills and Rachel O'Hare will join David Sayers in making a return visit to Lytham Hall for The Tempest which will be preceded by a set from the Lytham Community Choir under the baton of musical director Graham Warrington.

Tickets and details from Lytham Hall 01 253 736552 www.lythamhall.org.ukwww.lowtherpavilion.co.uk 01 253 794221 http://www.illyria.co.uk