Theatre

Banquo’s ghost, Gub Gub the Pig and the Right Honourable Sir Joseph Porter KCB, First Lord of the Admiralty, will each take centre stage in the outdoor plays at Lytham Hall this coming summer.

Such diversity in the programme for the 11th season of open-air theatre at the Hall , the biggest-ever with seven performances, has been widely welcomed following the recent announcement of the schedule.

Theatre organiser Julian Wilde is delighted with the reaction to the news that the season is going ahead and to the unveiling of the programme for the summer season.

“I have received very many encouraging and supportive comments in the last few days, particularly for the return of Illyria with HMS Pinafore on August 22 when we are expecting Gilbert and Sullivan groups from all over the north of England.”

Peter Anthony, the General Manager at Lytham Hall, feels that the decision to place three of the shows in mid-August, prior to the new WonderHall music festival at the end of the month, is a good one.

“ I think this appealing 2021 programme is full of promise. I am especially looking forward to Illyria’s version of Much Ado about Nothing on August 15 - they are superb at making Shakespeare accessible for all.”

Newcomers to Lytham Hall The Lord Chamberlain’s Men will launch the 2021 season on Friday 18 June at 6.00 pm. with a production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, a play last seen at the Hall seven years ago.

Meg Hargreaves from The Friends of Lytham Hall believes that, after a winter and spring of lockdown, theatre attendances at Lytham Hall will be high this summer.

“Everyone is especially keen to to meet up with family and friends and the relaxing atmosphere of the open air plays will provide a perfect and a safe setting. The gates open two hours before each show for picnics, so that’s just ideal. Dr. Dolittle will be a very popular show for all ages/ ”

Julian Wilde is happy that Lytham Hall’s own new online booking system for tickets has also been so warmly welcomed.

“ Everyone is finding it convenient to be able to look at all the plays on the Lytham Hall website and then to make an immediate booking on line. We will be using social media extensively this year to promote the season.”

Tickets www.lythamhall.org.uk