As You Like It

The Living Willow Community Company presented their third production on Saturday May 23 at 7.30pm and Sunday May 24 at 4pm at the Living Willow Theatre, generously sponsored by Gwanwyn – Celebrating Creativity in Older Age. As You Like It is the sunniest of Shakespeare’s comedies with love, laughter and music that warmed the audience’s hearts and dazzled their spirits.

Once again, the local cast spanned several generations and included many favourite actors from The Merchant of Venice and Macbeth playing an amazing variety of characters. The willow setting enhanced the play’s dreamlike qualities of love, enchantment and eloquence and emphasised the spiritual link to the land. Music threaded through the action, as in no other of the bard’s plays, and Benjie Talbot created a sound score while the songs evolved from the players and singers themselves with the expert help of arrangements from Sue Harris.

As You Like It left viewers uplifted, enchanted and truly believing that there is “good in every thing”, as proved by the comment from one audience member who said the performance left her “feeling younger.”

Cymbeline

A wicked stepmother, the Queen of King Cymbeline whose sons have long ago been abducted and whose daughter, Imogen has secretly married Posthumous, a man he disapproves of; a Roman tricking his way into Imogen’s bedroom to win an improper bet; plots to kill Imogen; a brutish Roman army on the threshold; visionary dreams and voices from heaven, all these make an exciting story whose happy outcome brings many joyous surprises.

Written in the magical Celtic tradition, this action-packed comedy thrilled and drew us into the lives of ancient Britons and Romans and the legends surrounding them. Rarely performed because seldom understood, this production was informed by research which lightened and clarified this wonderful play thus giving the audience the opportunity to enjoy this rich gem of Shakespeare’s late career.

Midsummer Sonnets Festival

To mark the 400th anniversary of the publication of Shakespeare’s Sonnets, the Living Willow Theatre, in Llanwrthwl, is holding a Midsummer Sonnets Festival over the weekend of June 19 to 21. The highlight of the festival is a performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by the Factory Theatre Company which took London’s South Bank by storm last year with its production of Hamlet, which actor Ewan MacGregor described as “Just the most amazing thing to see.” The rest of the festival is a pure sonnet-fest which explore every sonnet in words, dance, visual art, sign and music with an Elizabethan feast to top it all off.

Planted in 2006, the willow theatre is modelled on a scaled-down footprint of the Globe Theatre in London. It’s the biggest living willow theatre in Britain and is entirely powered by the wind and the sun.

County Times, 15 May 2009

We would like to thank the Builth Wells Photographic Club for taking these photographs of the Festival.

Alice Through the Looking Glass

Quantum Theatre made a very welcome return to the Living Willow Theatre on Friday 28 August for their production of Alice Through the Looking Glass. For actor Paul Chambers – who plays Tweedledee, the Red Queen, Humpty Dumpty and the White King – Carroll’s story is a timeless one. ‘It touches the imagination and is so unlike any other children’s book, with its word play and language,’ says Chambers. ‘People love it because the story – a rite of passage – essentially captures them in it.’

Chambers says it was important that the cast of four’s outdoor production stayed as faithful to the book as possible, and much of the costume design has been inspired directly by the book’s illustrations. ‘The crazy characters are such a big pull for people, and we were keen to really grab the absurdity and silliness of it all. Children love the colour and nonsense of it but then you have an audience of adults who love the word play and appreciate the depth of it.’

Although poor weather meant they were in the barn rather than outside in the theatre, the cast adjusted well to the change of space and created a wonderful rapport with the audience, onstage and off. Funny, entertaining and fantastical, the success of the performances was never more apparent than at the end of the show, when the actress playing Alice was mobbed by a crowd of adoring little girls who had all found a new heroine!

One String Loose

The 2008 season at the Living Willow Theatre got off to a ground-breaking start last
week, beginning with their first ever solar-powered performance! As part of the
international Shakespeare 24 festival on Wednesday April 23 (Shakespeare’s birthday),
Mid Powys Youth Theatre represented Wales with a 45 minute version of Romeo and
Juliet, under lighting entirely powered by solar panels that have recently been installed
at the theatre. Rehearsed under very tight time restrictions due to exams and
holidays, the audience wouldn’t have guessed and enjoyed a racy, energetic and highly
entertaining rendition of the touching tragedy.

Then on Saturday April 26, the theatre positively basked in the warmth of the spring
sunshine and the joyfulness of the magical music produced by young folk band One
String Loose. With three of the band members currently studying for GCSEs, the guys’
natural, easy charm and awe-inspiring talent totally belied their youth. In no time, the
audience were dancing in the aisles as the infectious and imaginative Celtic fusion tunes
skipped across the Welsh hillside. With delicious organic burgers sizzling on the
barbecue, draught beer on tap in the little pub, and refreshing tea brewed in the pot,
the ingredients were all there for a perfect Spring afternoon’s entertainment.

Fiery Feats

Alice Firefly, from Llanidloes, and partner Paul, gave a spectacular performance at the
Living Willow Theatre at Penlanole, near Rhayader, on Wednesday April 30.
The audience were first treated to the unique sound of Elin Cox, whose own brand f
music has a distinct Celtic flavour. Elin was followed on stage in the barn by Semele
Xerri, accompanied on guitar by Benjie Talbot.

Alice then led the audience through rings of fire to the main stage among the willow.
Children are always told not to play with fire but Alice obviously didn’t listen to this
advice as she mesmerised the audience with her spectacular routine. April showers
didn’t deter Alice or the audience and Alice’s fiery umbrella routine seemed very apt.
For more information on upcoming events at the Living Willow Theatre, visit
http://www.livingwillowtheatre.co.uk.

The County Times, Friday May 9 2008

Macbeth

On May 24 and 25 the infamous Scottish play came to the heart of Wales, in a
production of Macbeth (ssshhhhhh!) by the Living Willow Community Company at
their home base, The Living Willow Theatre near Llanwrthwl. The 20-strong
local cast bravely tackled one of Shakespeare’s most powerful tragedies in an
intensive three week rehearsal period, rooting the production in the landscape
and dusting it with Celtic mysticism.

Directors Sue Best and Philip Bowen said, “We’re so proud that the production
could be part of Gwanwyn 2008 – this festival celebrates creativity in older age
and cast members spanned the ages of eight to 80. We had a brilliant musical
director, Benjie Talbot, who was one of the babies at 20, but the lead role was
given a scorching interpretation by Stan Turner who has been retired for some
years.”

A truly magical production, the Saturday night performance took place against
the mystical backdrop of willow walls, when thrilled members of the audience
reported feeling cold shivers before the show even started! Due to wet
weather, the Sunday night show was mounted in the barn where the intimate
environment gave the play an incredible intensity and immediacy. This was
community theatre at its best, giving the professionals a real run for their
money!

If you didn’t manage to get there this weekend, don’t worry because Macbeth
will play again on July 4 at The Living Willow Theatre and July 19 at the
Serendipity Festival in Knighton.

All’s Well that Ends Well

Europe and UK’s most established open air Shakespeare touring theatre company,
Theatre Set-up, returned to mid Wales on Saturday 14th June to perform for the
second time at the newly established, open air Living Willow Theatre, just 4 miles
from Rhayader. The Company performed the great and magical comedy from
Shakespeare, All’s Well That Ends Well with a professional cast of 8 actors,
including one Welsh actress who enjoyed the rare treat to return and perform in
her homeland.

Just over 100 members of the local community came to see the company and were
delighted with the enthusiastic playing, lustrous Elizabethan costumes and
versatility of the cast. The performance was part of a whistle stop tour visiting
over 35 venues in six countries, and this was their one and only visit to Wales this
year before they set off to Stratford-on-Avon to perform at the Great Garden.

Founder of the Living Willow Theatre Sue Best was once a starring member of the
company where she enjoyed playing some of the great heroines of Shakespeare’s
plays.

AJ Roach

An American singer songwriter finally got to experience one of Wales’ most unusual
theatres when he returned to Radnorshire.

American singer songwriter AJ Roach performed at the Living Willow Theatre near
Rhayader on Saturday July 26 in glorious sunshine.

The weather was in stark contrast to Roach’s last visit to the outdoor venue. The wet
weather, that blighted summer 2007 last year, forced organisers to move Roach and
his band indoors to the hay barn, the wet weather alternative to the outdoor theatre.
But as mid Wales enjoyed brilliant sunshine and soaring temperatures during later July,
Roach finally got to showcase his brand of Appalachian folk music in the theatre that is
constructed from living Willow trees.

The gig was the last date of a European tour and Roach was impressed. He said, “The
Willow Theatre has to be the best venue we’ve played, the atmosphere is amazing.”
Roach played a selection of new songs and material from his most recent album,
‘Revelation’.

Local singer songwriter Ellen Cox opened the show, then Roach played a few solo
numbers before being joined on the stage by Alisa Rose on violin and Adam Roszkiewicz
on mandolin and guitars.

The Brecon & Radnor Express, Thursday July 31 2008

About

History and background
Shakespeare Link was founded in 1992 by Artistic Directors Susanna Best and Philip Bowen, whose extensive professional experience in theatre includes years with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the English Shakespeare Company, the Royal Opera House and the Old Vic. The Company has had charitable status since 1994.

Shakespeare Link has toured worldwide, enthralling audiences and students alike from Utah to the Philippines, and from Budapest to Singapore. The Company has enjoyed strong support from the British Council, and has been highly praised by overseas hosts, audiences, and press. Now based in mid- Wales we offer a quality resource for the local community and beyond.

Our work is flexible and client-led and adapts to the needs of a diverse range of students and teachers, using the medium of Shakespeare to bridge gaps of language and cultural difference, with exceptional results. Our focus now is on broad based community work and we welcome new audiences as well as the contacts and friends we have made at home and abroad to the Living Willow Theatre.

Susanna Best MA, DL
Sue read English at Cambridge then sailed the Atlantic in a 22ft Westerly before joining the Royal Shakespeare Company. She has worked variously as actor, writer, director and teacher for the RSC, the English Shakespeare Company, The Apollo Society, the Royal Opera, the Old Vic and numerous other companies and projects. Television credits include Dr Who, The Famous Five, Sir Peter Hall’s The Camomile Lawn, Kavanaugh Q.C and Rosemary and Thyme.

Now based in Wales, Sue works freelance specialising in plays and projects in the community.

Philip Bowen
After studying at Southampton University, Philip trained as an actor at the Webber Douglas Academy in London. Philip has spent much of his career playing in Shakespeare and the classics. Credits include: the title role in Michael Bogdanov’s Hamlet at the Old Vic and 3 years touring South America, Canada and Australasia with Sir Michael Redgrave. He has performed internationally with The New Shakespeare Company, the English Shakespeare Company, The Oxford Stage Company and the London Shakespeare Group. He has worked on British Council tours to Africa, India, Asia, the USA, Europe and Scandinavia. London appearances include seasons at Her Majesty’s, The Prince of Wales, The Arts Theatre, The Young Vic, The Old Vic and the Regents Park Open Air Theatre.

Television work includes the long running TV series Soldier Soldier, Eastenders, The Bill and The Man who made Husbands Jealous, Midsommer Murders and The Government Inspector.

Kama Roberts
Kama recently trained as an actress at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff. Roles have included the mad Mrs Rochester in After Mrs Rochester and Yelena in Uncle Vanya. She is currently working for Shakespeare Link as an administrator at the Living Willow Theatre.

Semele Xerri
After years spent as an information consultant and copywriter, Semele now runs her own business Triple Moon, where she works as a healer, psychic and spiritual teacher. She is currently the Shakespeare Link webmaster and copywriter as well as an enthusiastic actress, having played Portia in The Merchant of Venice and Lady Macbeth at The Living Willow Theatre.

You can visit her website at http://www.triple-moon.co.uk.

Our services

We provide workshops and residencies, directing, hosting of events or performances, and education services. Shakespeare Link has always maintained the hallmark of being client led. We respond to demand - if a project is suggested and it’s appropriate and fundable then we’ll do our best to make it happen. There’s bound to be a way in which you can take advantage of Shakespeare Link’s expertise.

If you would like to find out more about any of our services, or discuss an idea with us, phone 01597 811 487 or email (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

“Lively and complex and funny in ways I’ve never seen before” Arts Council Isle of Man

“Shakespeare Link knows how to make Shakespeare fun and relevant. Ask the hundreds of students who attended its workshops on the world service tour of Bulgaria - anyone, anywhere in the world, would find common ground in Shakespeare Link.” Gerald O’Malley, Director BBC World Service

“I intend to write in detail to the British Council to commend this group” Tutor on workshop with 15-16 year olds, Phillipines

“Many thanks for a superb weekend’s tuition” - Anglian Shakespeare Company

“The Shakespeare Link session which I attended at the British Council was exactly what I had hoped for: well - run, stimulating, well prepared and solidly text based - very good.” - Mark Dewolf, Singapore

Workshops

Shakespeare Link workshops are individually tailored, practical and fun - participants work at their own level to achieve ownership and control of material. These workshops are topic or syllabus-linked as required and are always founded on a practical theatre base. We look at language, verse structure, characterisation and narrative to unlock and explore the plays. We have worked with schools, colleges and the community and are experienced in working with adults and children with special needs. On average, the workshop fee is £150 for three hours.

Directing

After careers spent in the professional theatre working variously for the RSC, the English Shakespeare Company, The Apollo Society, the Royal Opera, the Old Vic and numerous other companies and projects, Sue Best and Philip Bowen now focus on community projects. They have directed shows with several local community groups including Builth Wells Community Arts, Red Kite in Hay and of course their very own Living Willow Community Company. Shakespeare Link has a long and fruitful relationship with the Mid Powys Youth Theatre and has run workshops and directed several shows including A Mid-Summer Nights Dream and Nicholas Nickleby.

The latest project in discussion is a community production of Twelfth Night on Twelfth Night on the Isle of Muck in Scotland!

Fees for community projects are negotiable, so please contact us to discuss details if you’re interested.

Signed Shakespeare

Shakespeare has been translated into over 80 languages around the world but never before into Sign on film; this has created a way of making Shakespeare accessible to the deaf. In association with The Sign Language People we have already filmed The Tempest, A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream and most recently Twelfth Night. We are currently seeking funding to continue the series. We are proud that this work has become the inspiration for deaf projects in ASL by our sister company Shakespeare Link Canada.

“The whole project was wonderful - fascinating, I’ve developed a much greater insight into Shakespeare” Jeff Wilson – Deaf Actor

Hosting

Throughout the year we host many events and performances, from spiritual development workshops, to practical environmental symposiums and speciality weekends through to musical extravaganzas! Professional companies such as Theatre Setup and Quantum Theatre, musicians AJ Roach, One String Loose and Beck Sian, and storyteller Daniel Morden have all enjoyed performing here. If you have any event, workshop or performance that would benefit from a magical, unique setting, we’d love to hear from you.

For information on venue hiring rates, please click here.

Education

We regularly hold workshops and residencies in schools with participants aged 9 up to A-level standard.

Workshops are always practical and participatory. Each session usually lasts around 2 hours and may be seen as a one off independent initiative or part of a longer course. All courses are tailored to suit the particular need of the group of from 5-50 participants.

For the past 13 years we have been doing an annual two week residency in Harrow Way Community School in Andover. This includes rehearsing a Shakespeare play with 15-16 year olds and running time tabled syllabus workshops with year 9 pupils. These residencies have been highly valued by the school. See their website for pictures of the projects over the years

www.harrowway.hants.sch.uk

One day workshops for Shakespeare set texts are also very popular, and really help to bring the play alive for the students.

Fees are always negotiable but on average workshops or residencies cost £150 a day or £75 for a three hour session.

“An exciting opportunity for our pupils to work with a professional actor and a director, which has been very beneficial” - John Baxter, Head of Drama, Harrow Way Community School, Andover.

“The students really came alive in enjoying Shakespeare” - A level tutor, Manchester

“I really wish you could come again” Pupil - St Thomas’s Church of England School

“It was a fun and tiring day but it was brill” - Year 6 pupil

Mid Wales Shakespeare Centre

The Mid Wales Shakespeare Centre is primarily about people. It is a focus for interest, research, a venue for communication, experiment and performance. It’s home for Shakespeare Link, host to community groups or touring companies, and a retreat for local or visiting enthusiasts.

Library

The converted Stable houses a library specifically related to the works of Shakespeare and the magical history of Wales. Books, scripts, prints and DVDs are just some of the resources available for education, reference and research to the local community and beyond.

Environment

Shakespeare’s plays teem with metaphors drawn from the life of plants and animals and the Mid-Wales Shakespeare Centre offers a chance to share in some of his inspiration of rural life.

As well as our totally natural theatre, we have seeded and planted an organic hay meadow with plant species which Shakespeare would have known and which are found in his plays. We currently have plans for a kitchen garden of Elizabethan culinary herbs, and a children’s nature trail with natural treasure hunt.

To build on the environmentally sound and holistic identity of the Mid Wales Shakespeare Centre, we developed a stand-alone energy system. Eight photovoltaic panels and a windmill generate enough electricity to power the stage lighting and sound in the theatre and Black Barn, the power tools used by our volunteers and lighting and household appliances in the Stable which houses the reference library, costume store and workshop space. We believe we are probably the first static theatre facility in the UK to be powered entirely by green energy!

Have-a-go

The Have-a-go Shakespeare group meets once a fortnight on a Thursday afternoon at the CARAD building in Rhayader to explore Shakespeare text in reading and performance. It is open to all, but most of the members are over 50 and many of them are star players in the Living Willow Community Company! As well as having a go themselves, the group take regular trips to see professional Shakespeare productions at anywhere from nearby Theatr Brycheiniog to the RSC at Stratford. Thanks to Sue and Phil’s network of friends and colleagues in the theatre, the group often gets to talk Shakespeare with the actors and directors afterwards.

Here’s a clip of the group in action:

Facilities hire

Bed and breakfast

Four miles from the popular tourist attractions of the Elan valley and seven miles from the delightful Victorian spa town of Llandrindod Wells, we are ideally situated for a rural retreat or an action-packed adventure.

Walking, horse-riding, fishing and golf are all available nearby and we are conveniently situated for the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show at Builth Wells. An excellent pub and café are only ten minute’s walk or a two minute drive away.

Bed and breakfast is provided in the elegant but homely main house. Choose from our double room with en-suite bathroom, or two double rooms with use of a shared bathroom, all with fabulous views of the surrounding countryside. Attic bedrooms are also available for children, or adults, who fancy something more adventurous! An organic breakfast, with bacon, sausages and eggs sourced from our own farm, can be served in the bright elegance of the dining room or the warm informality of the family kitchen. Bed and breakfast costs £25 per person.

If you have any special requests, such as pre-packed picnics for your days out, we’re always happy to help.

Self-catering

A family of four or group of friends can use the small mobile home with cosy sitting room, kitchen, shower and toilet. There’s a double bed and two singles, and the sofas in the sitting room can be converted to sleeping accommodation if necessary. The caravan costs £60 per night.

Camping

For the more outdoorsy types, camping pitches are available in the apple orchard and well-drained field close to the main house. Pitches cost £8 to £10 per tent or caravan per night, and camp fires are allowed if discussed and agreed with us. We also welcome camper vans.

Theatre and workshop space

The theatre, Black Barn and Stable are all available to hire for your special event or workshop. The rates shown below reflect the realities of fuel, energy, maintenance and preparation time. We would be pleased to discuss any combinations of the above and negotiate a package to suit your particular event and requirements.

Day hire

Living Willow Theatre & Stable £100.00
Stable £75.00
Barn £50.00
Stable & Barn £100.00
Tea/coffee/biscuits £1 per head per session
Cold lunch (bread, cheese, etc) £4 per head
Hot lunch (shepherds pie, pasta) £6 per head

Hourly hire (package negotiable)

Living Willow Theatre £15
Living Willow Theatre & Stable £20
Stable £15
Barn £10
Stable & Barn £20

Events Diary

2010 SEASON

You can buy your tickets in advance from our ticket outlets:

Rhayader, West Street - Arches 01597 810 921
Llandrindod Wells, Middleton Street - Verzons Bookshop and Gallery 01597 825 171

or tickets on the door (subject to availability). You can also reserve tickets through the office on 01597 811487 (which must be picked up no later than 15 minutes before the show starts) or buy tickets using the Paypal buttons below, but note there is a 50 pence booking fee per ticket when you book online.

To receive regular news of our latest shows, workshops and events please click the link below to sign up for our newsletter:

Living Willow Theatre Newsletter

Please note performances WILL NOT be cancelled if it rains as we have wet weather cover in the barn.

Twelfth Night on Tour
After three sell-out performances here at the theatre, The Living Willow Community Company brings their unique and accessible flavour to this favourite of Shakespeare’s comedies in other mid Wales locations. Unless indicated, tickets are being sold through the individual venues so please contact them to book:

Sunday 5 September at 2.30pm: Llowes Court, Clyro near Hay-on-Wye. Tickets available on the door only.
Saturday 9 October at 8pm: Wyeside Arts Centre, Builth Wells - 01982 552555.
Tuesday 16 November, U3A at Hay-on-Wye
Saturday 20 November: The Assembly Rooms, Presteigne - 01544 26015.

Sunday September 12 at 2pm: Apple Day
Musical, gastronomic and spiritual sustenance with stalls, entertainment, bar and barbecue. Entrance fee £2 and money raised goes to local charities.

Past events this season
Sat April 24 at 4pm: Shakespeare’s birthday celebrations
Sat May 15 at 3pm: Nature Trail opens
Sat May 29 at 7pm & Sun May 30 at 4pm: Hamlet, Living Willow Community Company
Sat June 5: Game trail workshop on the Nature Trail
Sat June 5 at 7pm: The Singing Bones, Devil’s Violin Company
Sat June 19 at 7pm: Merchant of Venice, Theatre Set-Up
Fri June 25: Sound trail workshop on the Nature Trail
Fri July 2 to Sun July 4: The Family Shakespeare Festival
Sat July 31: Word trail workshop on the Nature Trail
Sat July 31 at 6pm: A Taste of Dahl, The Big Friendly Giant — Tony Pedley
Sat August 14: Naturalist workshop on the Nature Trail
Sat August 14 at 7pm: Pebbles and Pennies, Cat Weatherill @ Emma and the Professor
Fri 20 & Sat 21 at 7pm and Sun 22 August at 4pm: Twelfth Night, Living Willow Community Company
Mon August 23: Art trail workshop on the Nature Trail

Living Willow Theatre

Y Glôb Byw - The Living Willow Theatre - is a scaled down, living version of the Globe in London, being a third of its size in diameter. The willow has been carefully woven into an organic and spiritual theatre, starkly sculptural in spring, which is almost completely absorbed by its lush, green surroundings in summer months. This secret, magical and intimate space, with a rough thrust stage, is totally unique - we believe it is one of the largest willow constructions in the country and probably the only one in use as a theatre in the world. Viola’s determination to ‘make me a willow cabin at your gate’ has a whole new resonance.

The Living Willow Theatre hosts events from April - September, offering syllabus Shakespeare for schools through community productions and professional tours. It is a venue for an eclectic mix of music, Shakespeare, and other arts happenings. We have the option of wet weather cover should it rain. All events in the theatre are supported by the resources of the Mid Wales Shakespeare Centre and the organic farm - with bar and barbecue after the show. Go to the Events Diary to see what we have lined up for this year.

Friends

We would not be able to fund the amazing variety of projects and productions at the Living Willow Theatre without the help of our special Friends. An annual subscription of £25 entitles Friends to receive priority booking and reserved seats for the shows and an annual party. At the end of each season all Friends’ names are entered into a prize draw and the winner receives a bard-themed book signed by an eminent Shakespearean.

The money from Friends’ subscriptions funds a particular project each year at the Living Willow Theatre. In 2008 the focus has been on the Shakespearean hay meadow, which has meant buying seed and plug plants.

We very much look forward to welcoming new Friends over the coming season and thank you in advance for your generous support. If you’d like to become a Friend of the Living Willow Theatre, please contact us by calling 01597 811 487 or emailing (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

If you would like to make a donation to the theatre, click the Paypal button below and enter the amount - whatever you can afford is very welcome.

Volunteers

We have a dedicated and enthusiastic core group of volunteers of all ages who are an important part of the Shakespeare Link family and make a massive contribution to the upkeep and development of the Mid Wales Shakespeare Centre.

Because there is so much going on at the centre, we can offer experience in an unusually wide variety of roles, and we are able to provide for travel and food expenses. Why not try your hand at:

Maintaining the theatre auditorium
Technical theatre support – lighting, sound
Running front of house facilities
Preparing the Black Barn for wet-weather cover and skills workshop space
Sorting, repairing, cataloguing and storing the Mid Wales Shakespeare Centre Costume Store
Cataloguing and developing the Mid Wales Shakespeare Centre Library of Theatre and Celtic History
Contributing to the creation of education packs for visitors
Maintaining the Shakespeare Link website
Office administration (accounts, database management, IT and so on)
Promotion and publicity
Brainstorming and developing new projects
Funding research and applications
Events management
Enhancing links with local communities, groups and schools
Writing, abridging and augmenting scripts for production
Running drama workshops
Recruiting and managing volunteers
Performing and directing
Liaising with and booking professional performers
Involvement with environmental/sustainability initiatives
Fostering worldwide links through Shakespeare Link Canada and other organisations

We are always looking for more people, so do contact us on 01597 811487 or email us on (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) if you’re interested in becoming a volunteer.

“Bring these tidings to this fair assembly”

Funding is beginning to come in now so we can start making plans for next year. Semele is thrilled that we’ve commissioned a new version of the website which will conform to accessibility guidelines and enable us to have complete control over all the content (typical Aries, she likes to be the boss)! That should be up and running in the early Spring. There are also plans underway for providing a more permanent and custom wet weather performance space - no more worrying about the rain!

We are also excited to announce that following on the success of our Merchant and Macbeth productions, the Living Willow Community Company (LWCC) will be presenting the charming pastoral comedy As You Like It in May 2009.

Contact

Artistic Directors: Susanna Best and Philip Bowen
Administration Team: Kama Roberts and Semele Xerri

Shakespeare Link
Penlanole
Llanwrthwl
Nr Llandrindod Wells
Powys LD1 6NN

(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Tel: 01597 811487

Directions:

The Living Willow Theatre is off the A470, four miles south of Rhayader. Take the B road signposted ‘Nant Glas’ and ‘Nantmel’. You will find directions for the Theatre 200 yards up that lane. On performance days there will be a sandwich board on the A470.

Click here for a map of our location.

Welcome to Shakespeare Link

We are an independent professional theatre company working out of the Living Willow Theatre and have been registered as a Charity since 1994. We work across the UK and overseas, as well as within our local community. Our home is an organic small-holding in the safe and healing haven of the upper Wye Valley, Wales, where we welcome all comers for workshops, research or performance at the Living Willow Theatre. To find out what’s on click the link below:

What’s On at the Living Willow Theatre

Our misson statement: We believe that the works of Shakespeare are common coin, a valuable medium for communication and debate, as well as the resource of theatre and academic study. Our members have broad-based communicative and performance skills and a commitment to working in the community. We work holistically, using drama and particularly the work of Shakespeare as a profound and relevant source. We believe in looking for the truth and having fun - a play is play.

We hope you will visit one of our performances, get involved in a workshop or just support our work. Take a moment to visit the other pages of our website and contact us with any questions you may have. We look forward to welcoming you to the Living Willow Theatre!

“Good fun. I learnt about the wider issues concerning the play. You provided me with tools that will help me appreciate and understand Shakespeare in the future.” ‘A’ Level student, London

“Shakespeare without a safety net - brilliant!” Times Education Supplement on work with Drama Plus

“Shakespeare Link knows how to make Shakespeare fun and relevant. Ask the hundreds of students who attended its workshops on the World Service tour of Bulgaria - anyone, anywhere in the world, would find common ground in Shakespeare Link.” Gerald O’Malley, Director BBC World Service

Living Willow Community Company

The theatre is proud to have its own resident company, providing Shakespeare by the community for the community. Its members are all local amateurs ranging in age from 8 to 80 plus, with all kinds of backgrounds, professions and experience, but sharing a common passion – Shakespeare and his works. Previous productions have included The Merchant of Venice, Macbeth, As You Like It and Hamlet, all of which received excellent reviews and played to packed and enthusiastic audiences. Usually, the Living Willow Community Company presents an annual production in May, but this year we are venturing a second production, Twelfth Night, at the end of August which is then going on tour to Hay-on-Wye, Presteigne, Builth Wells and other venues through the Autumn.

Weaving Spells!

There has been a bit of an absence from blogging while we’re in the middle of updating our website which is very exciting - we should be live with the new look very soon!

Meanwhile there is so much going on here. Kama is hard at work on the Nature Trail project which we’re planning to open officially at the Sonnet Festival in June. Our team of wonderful willow weavers headed up by Nick and Becky have been taking care of the theatre in preparation for the Spring growth.

We planned a photo of them in action but managed to arrive in time for their coffee break! Here they are taking a well-earned rest.

Casting is almost complete for our Living Willow Community Company’s May production of As You Like It, with a couple of new members joining us this time round. The lineup for the Midsummer Sonnets is looking very impressive indeed and you should definitely book the weekend of June 21 and 22 in your diaries now for a multimedia experience to remember.

I couldn’t resist adding this magical photo of Penlanole in the February snow - beautiful!

Nature Trail

Walk The Willow Way - A Nature Trail With A Difference
Imagination meets nature in the mystical setting of the Upper Wye valley

Small delights and tiny treasures await as you wander through the orchard, dip for minnows in Y Nant Perlan, make a den in the woods, hang your wish on the wishing tree, cast a spell in the witches’ cavern, tell tales beneath the spreading chestnut tree, and follow the seasons through the snowdrop woods, banks of wild spring bluebells and ox-eye daisies in the drowsy summer hay meadow…............

“Make me a willow cabin at your gate” – Viola in Twelfth Night
“Books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in every thing” – Duke Senior in As You Like it
“The wish deserves a welcome” – The Provost in Measure for Measure
“I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,
“Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows” – Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream]

Special summer workshop days
Game trail - Saturday 5th June 2pm-5pm
This is the first in an exciting new programme being developed by teacher and theatre maker Kirsten McIver. The day will be a mixture of Willow art, exploration and play. The day will be followed with a BBQ and tickets are available for The Singing Bones from the renowned Devil’s Violin Company at 7pm.

Sound trail - Friday 25th June 2.30pm- 5pm
A rare opportunity to listen to the Upper-Wye valley as local specialists Simon Fraser and Liz Fleming-Williams lead you on a ‘silent’ journey along the Willow Way. There will then be a preview of their still sound-scape film Sarn Cambria Stillffillm in the barn. The day will be followed with a BBQ and tickets are available for the band Little Rumba at 7pm

Word trail - Saturday 31 July 2.30-5.30pm
Poet Tony Walton mixes intellect with instinct to make work which is deeply connected and stunningly powerful. Spend the day working and learning from him, listening to the environment and creating your own poetry. The day will be followed with a BBQ and tickets are available for A Taste of Dahl, The Big Friendly Giant at 6 pm

Nature trail - Saturday 14 August 2pm-5pm
Follow renowned local naturalist Ray Woods around the trail exploring it’s flora and fauna in fascinating detail. An opportunity to relish the natural magic of the upper Wye valley in the company of an extraordinary expert. Bar, BBQ and evening tickets available for Pebbles and Pennies at 7pm.

Art Trail - Monday 23 August 10 am-3pm
Join professional Artists Blue McAskill.and Alex Allpress in a project to create your own art and sculpture using found objects and materials from around the trail. These artists are a true inspiration to work with, an opportunity not to be missed!

All Willow Way events are suitable for all ages and stages and are at the subsidised price of £3 per head. There is a bar available at all events, bring a picnic or use the local restaurant for lunch. Booking is recommended for all events.

“Love goes toward love”

The Have-a-Go group enjoyed a Bogdanov production of Romeo and Juliet at Theatr Brycheiniog last week. A wonderful evening was had by all, including a delicious supper at The Bishop’s Meadow. It was a modern, youthful performance complete with motorbikes which clearly had the young in the audience transfixed. But the more mature Have-a-Goers also appreciated the vibrant immediacy of the production.

“And one man in his time plays many parts”

We started rehearsing As You Like It in glorious sunshine at the weekend. Everyone was in great spirits and galloped through the first reading with enthusiasm, warmth and humour. It’s already shaping up to be a wonderful production! Here’s newcomer to the Living Willow Community Company Peter Asphar, who’s playing Orlando, meeting his loyal servant Adam, who’s played by our well-loved veteran of the stage Don Hughes-Jones.

Happy birthday Shakespeare!

The Have-a-Go Shakespeare group celebrated the bard’s birthday on April 23, with an afternoon tea party and delicious cake in the Mid Wales Shakespeare Centre library. Jenny Ogden entertained and educated everyone with her “interview with a bug”, brilliantly chaired by Tony Hampshire.

As You Liked It!

May 23 and May 24 was a triumphant weekend for the Living Willow Theatre Community Company when As You Like It played to packed houses in the glorious warmth and sunshine of the willows. We really couldn’t have asked for better weather and the cast were on top form. We had so many lovely comments from the audiences, with many saying it is the best production yet, and we were genuinely moved by one lady who said she felt younger for having seen the play! Another common response was that the play was somehow enchanting and completely drew the audience into a magical other world - Shakespeare would have approved we’re sure.

Such was the success of the play, we’re adding another date in the willows on Saturday July 18 at 7pm so all those who couldn’t make it will be able to come along and see why there was such a buzz about it.

“Beauty shall in these black lines be seen”

We could not have been blessed with better weather and this weekend marking the first publication of Shakespeare’s sonnets was a magical feast of art, performance, discussion, education and sheer joy! There were so many memorable moments it’s hard to choose what to talk about here, but I’ll make a special mention of Pulga’s dance performance and workshops, Professor David Crystal and Professor David West’s knowledgeable and entertaining talks (not an easy combination to achieve), and the stunning performance of Midsummer Night’s Dream by Tim Carroll’s The Factory company. What a treat that was, with usually sobre, sensible audience members reduced to fits of hysterical laughter - I shall never think of the Wall as quite the same again!

Just before the festival happened, we heard that we had achieved the presitgious Inspire Mark (inspired by the London 2012 games) and everyone who attended the weekend would have said it was well deserved. Here’s Pulga at his drumming workshop with Mick joining in:

Make a donation

Since we’re getting good at going all technological, we have added a Paypal donation button to the website. There is no limit, lower or upper (!) to the amount you can give so it really is up to you and what you can afford. All your financial suppport, however small, is greatly appreciated. We couldn’t do what we do without you!

Just click on the link below to go to the Friends page and make a donation - thank you!

Friends and Donations

LWCC on tour

As You Like It has finally been laid to rest after three more fabulous performances. On Friday July 17 we took part in the Serendipity Festival in Knighton. The rain meant we weren’t able to perform outside but we managed to dress the community centre to create a cosy space for the hardy audience who braved the weather to attend. There was filming going on and we were told that we would probably end up on Youtube so it’s worth watching out for us there! Saturday July 18 saw us back in our Living Willow Theatre home base where we had added an extra date due to popular demand. Once more the theatre was packed (with a few fans making a return visit - thank you!) and the weather did us proud.

Finally, and perhaps leaving the best till last, Sunday July 19 had us booked for a promenade matinee performance at the gorgeous Llowes Court in Clyro. The morning dawned misty and wet, and the cast trudged around the fantastic grounds for a couple of hours getting drenched as we plotted the various scenes, quite believing that we were going to end up inside the cafe! Then, miraculously, half an hour before the “curtain” was due to go up, the rain stopped, the sun peeped out and we were off. It was truly a magical show with Celia and Rosalind entering onto the lawns through grand court gates, Orlando being banished imperiously from a high turret, the audience literally being led on a journey into a wild wood exile and a finale quadruple wedding in a “return to civilisation” formally hedged court. Nature was definitely on our side, to the extent that as the play drew to the close the sun beautifully and kindly shone a spotlight on Rosalind for her epilogue - Hymen and the gods were truly present! It was an enchanting end to a production that we have all been enchanted by.

A Summer Winter’s Tale!

On Saturday 15 August Phil drove a bus-load of our Have-a-Goers to Stratford to see A Winter’s Tale. The weather and scenery were glorious and an entertainment in themeselves, and everyone enjoyed a cup of tea and a bun in the cafe.

It was a fantastic production with an inspirational set. Regimented rows of bookshelves in regulated, neat Sicilia toppled to transform, during the storm scene, into the tossing waves of the sea and then the wilder and more untidy Bohemia. Hermione was particularly impressive as her statue self, when she managed to hold a completely tremble-free pose for about five minutes (Sue knows because she was watching with eagle eyes)!

A lovely day for everyone!

A picture paints a thousand words

Sue and Phil read sonnets at a private viewing of a fascinating exhibition open from Monday 24 August until Sunday 6 September 2009 at The Rodd, Presteigne.

In 1963 Nolan painted a remarkable series of works representing William Shakespeare’s Sonnets. He was inspired to tackle this seemingly impossible task by his great friend Benjamin Britten who had set one of the Sonnets (No 43) to music. The Sidney Nolan Trust are showing a significant collection of the Sonnet paintings, including several works that were painted later, when Nolan revisited the theme. The exhibition has been timed to coincide with the 400th anniversary of the publication of the Sonnets and is open from 10.30am - 5.30pm.

Sue and Phil, accompanied by Charlotte Moncrieff, read 30 sonnets during the viewing, while standing next to the appropriate painting. It was particularly rewarding for us to repay the kindness shown by the Sidney Nolan Trust when they lent us eight of the sonnet paintings for our own sonnet festival back in June. In the photo below you can see Sue and Charlotte (on the left) with Lady Mary Nolan on the right.

Nature Trail Preview

Kama walked the proposed route of the Nature Trail just over a week ago in preparation for work to begin. The Nature Trail will open in May 2010 but before then there is a lot of work to do. If you’re willing to help out with clearing, building, path-laying, photographing, researching information for boards (to name just a few of the jobs) then please do phone or email us and you’ll be warmly welcomed!

Thank you to Liz Fleming-Williams for these fabulous photos as she followed the team around, and to George and Alfie for looking so intrigued and interested as we know everyone who visits will be.

Harrow Way Visit 2009

Phil has recently returned from Harrow Way school in Andover, where he has been leading Shakespeare workshops as an annual event for the last sixteen years! Phil workshopped The Tempest with Year 9 and directed a production of Midsummer Night’s Dream with Year 11 students, in which the fairies were played by puppets which the youngsters made themselves. Thank you to John Baxter for sending through these fabulous photos of the Dream Team!

It has been lovely for Phil to see the results and effect of this successful collaboration over time, particularly on this occasion. The lad who played Lysander for Phil on his first visit sixteen years ago, Euan Manson, is now a teacher at the school and the music for this year’s Midsummer Night’s Dream was composed by Hazel Barnfather who played Olivia in an early production of Twelfth Night!

Phil was also delighted to be shown around the school farm by three pupils and was pleased to see it developing nicely since it began eighteen months ago, with plans for further expansion underway too.

“Here we have no temple but the woods”

Cadets from all over Powys arrived at Penlanole bright and early on the morning of Saturday 6 March. They were planting trees as part of a mid wales initiative in collaboration with the woodland trust.

They worked tremendously hard and with great cadet discipline planted 600 trees, including willow for the future. The final photo shows volunteer leader Finn Fraser demonstrating how to plant a tree!

Nature Trail Progress

We had another fantastic volunteer day on Saturday 6 March when an enthusiastic and dedicated group of people achieved, as always, an amazing amount of work. After a lot of clearing the focus has been on making hurdles to mark the path and create some shelter. Sculptor Catharine Marr-Johnson also paid us a visit to measure a space in the branches of a tree, where her Puck sculpture will be seen peeking out mischievously at visitors on the trail!

Photos by Jessica Tyler

Nature Trail Open!

We had a fantastic day when Rupert Sheldrake officially opened the Willow Way - A Nature Trail with a Difference on Saturday 15 May. The weather was obligingly gorgeous as around 100 visitors gently wandered the trails and paths, accompanied by snippets of Shakespeare, music from Nantmel Primary School, overtone chanting with Jill Purce and interesting botanical facts from Ray Woods. We were especially thrilled to have the Broken Willow Consort musicians making their premiere - you can see them here set up in two different nature trail locations! We will be creating a new page specially for them in the near future…...

So much happening!

What a busy time it has been, with all sorts of things going on in and around the theatre in between the many wonderful shows. We’ve had brave people “extreme camping” on the Nature Trail (see the photos below), and Nantmel primary school spent a fantastic day exploring Macbeth with Phil and Sue, with the Willow Way informing the scenes in a unique, magical and sometimes surprising way. This weekend we hosted a wedding (our second this year!) and there was the second of the Nature Trail activity days - a sound trail led by Simon Fraser. Apparently the participants were so involved with listening to the natural sounds along the walk that no-one wanted to talk when the trail was officially over! So it’s been all go and we’re ramping up the excitement even more now as we hurtle towards the fabulous Shakespeare Family Festival starting this Friday 2 July. Have you booked your tickets yet….....?

The summer so far

Midsummer, mid-season and things are really hotting up at the Willow Theatre. Last week saw a visit from Nantmel Primary School who spent the day on the farm acting out Macbeth, the Willow Way Nature Trail coming into its own as we found the three witches in the Stone Circle, murdered Duncan by the 400 year old chestnut tree and then fought Macbeth’s last battle in the Turnaround field. Some of our more mature volunteers then saw the school acting out parts of the play in the Willow Theatre itself and all remarked that they wished they had studied the play like that when they were children!
The U3A came for a refresher on King Lear on the Thursday. They’re off to Stratford to see Greg Doran’s production. Again we acted out the first few scenes and reminded ourselves of the main characters, storyline and issues in the play. We were lucky that Brenda Bullock was photographing the Shakespearean Haymeadow that morning and agreed to include the U3A in one or two of her shots. She later took a helicopter trip for her husband’s birthday treat and persuaded the pilot to fly over Penlanole. The aerial shot on the Living Willow Theatre page of this site must be one of the most wonderful studies of the theatre. You really get a feel for the space.
Little Rumba played a brilliant gig on Friday night after we had held a Soundscape walk around the Nature Trail that afternoon. Under the guidance of Simon Fraser we walked silently, strictly no talking, for forty minutes through the fields, orchard and woodlands, listening to the sounds of nature, the road (!), and our own footfall. Back to the Barn for tea, it was difficult indeed to start to speak again. Richard Knights had noted the variety of birds that had been calling. It was a very moving event - we’ll do it again.
And now we prepare for the weekend ahead. The forecast so far seems to be in our favour but we have cover against any rain in Barn, tent and stable. We’ve been rehearsing with the Mid Powys Youth Theatre and with The Living Willow Theatre Company. The Broken Willow Consort will be rehearsing tomorrow, The Lord Lieutenant Shan Legge Bourke and our AM, Kirsty Williams will be with us. Tim Carroll is back from Port Elizabeth with his vuvuzela and the beer is in. We hope to see you here.

“We are, in one another, family”

The Family Shakespeare Festival, which took place last weekend from 2nd to 4th July, was a wonderful success and much needed after the sad news of the Arts Council Funding cuts during the preceding week. A line-up including big names Germaine Greer, Tim Caroll and The Factory Theatre Company provided wonderful and varied entertainment and stimulation for mind, body and spirit, and it would be an overly long blog post if I mentioned everyone who took part. The programme fitted so well together including local and far-flung, amateur and professional talent and the beautiful weather lent a celebratory feel to the whole weekend in which we were united in our exploration of family and relationship through the arts.

The innovative and exciting performances from The Factory, the incisive and fascinating exploration of text with Tim Carroll, Gill-Gorrell-Barnes and Andrew St George, the ability to express our own responses to what we were experiencing through the poetry, dance and puppet workshops, the amazing array of local talent at the official opening performance….......we were quite overwhelmed and thrilled by all of it. I’m going to be putting up some of the work that came out of the workshops, and people’s responses to the weekend, on the website in the Mid Wales Shakespeare Centre section so do take a look there and more will be added as we receive it.

Here at the theatre we want to give a special mention to the hard-working team of volunteers who tirelessly and efficiently made sure everyone and everything was in the right place at the right time, and always with a friendly smile and a welcoming word - thank you so much, we couldn’t do it without you.

Here are a few photos from the weekend (with many thanks to Faye Thomas for her fantastic pictures of the Factory performing As You Like It along the Nature Trail and in the theatre).

Poetry from the Family Shakespeare Festival

Romeo is Bleeding by Peter Cox

“romeo is bleeding

The windscreen wipers fight the rain.
Tom Waits growls on the stereo,
‘Romeo is bleeding’.

My name has been stolen.

I am told I am not real.
I am just a construction of words.
Some verse. Some prose.

If I am not real,
how is it that my heart
bursts when I am with her?

How is it that my heart aches
aches, aches, aches, aches,
aches, aches, truly aches,
when she is out of reach?

How is it, that, if I am not real,
this pain, this ache, this
hurt, this hurt is so…
so… bleeding… so…
there, in every cell? So real.

I press the ‘Replay’ button.
Tom Waits growls again.

Romeo… is bleeding.”

Juliet, by Laura Higgs

I see myself in the reflection.
Hair twisted, pearls in my ears.
Expectant.

I hear the shouts and caution of my mother and father getting ready.
Hooves on the cobblestones.
Silence in here.

I feel the petals of my corsage - waxy and soft.
I feel tense, my forehead fluttering.

I love to stroll in the garden, before dinner.
The earth sandy, stones warm with heat.
Sharp lavender cutting the thickly rose air.
I would rather be there
Bare feet cooked on the marble.

But now I must prepare
To act, tall, golden, still
As the richest hands of Italy share me around.

Harrow Way Visit 2010

A team of 8 pupils and drama teacher John Baxter visited from Harrow Way Community School in Andover on 16th July. The team even braved camping in high winds! The group came specifically to learn about event management but also to treat us with their brilliant production of ‘The Wall’ and to team up with Red Kite theatre Co for a workshop. The trip was a great success and we were very pleased to welcome them.

The visit builds on the 15 Year relationship that Shakespeare Link has had with the school, who have welcomed us annually for two week residencies since 1995. We have been delighted to be able to welcome them to The Living Willow Theatre in recent years, where they have been part of workshops and have performed many wonderful school productions.

Poetry from the Nature Trail Word Trail

ORIGINAL WORKS

Tony Walton, Poet and Trail Leader
It hasn’t been at all what I expected
A gathering of people of so many many different ages
And every single one of you injected
Your special contribution in a gathering of pages

Your voices in a chorus sing the praises
Of the loveliness of nature that returns and never fails
And this of all our long-remembered days is
Our Penlanole poem for this special place in Wales.

Joey Lloyd, age 7
There is a tree back 400 years ago
And now there is a boy.
He sits on the tree.
He is waiting for the day when he turns back to normal
But they say when the evil is back he will turn to rock.
But in 400 years he will be back to normal.

Val
Stone circle in the open green of the field,
Blue skies above with fluffy white clouds
Mirroring the woolly sheep below,
Who nibble all day long.

We pass on to the sombre shade of Piggy Wood -
Beware of witches who inhabit there!
The world grows quiet and still,
Ominous, the trees stalk us as we
Fearfully tread the cone-strewn paths.

Thess Jutla
To sit and write ‘neath the tree?
That would be a special day for me.
No pulling hair, no noses to wipe
No “don’t go down there” or “it’s my go on the trike.”
Instead a moment of solitude to sit and brood
And regard the sights and sounds and unleash the poet in me.
What would I write? What would I think?
Or I may just sit still and stare and blink.

Chas Jutla
Evergreen valleys cloaked in wonder
The fields are tickled by sheep
Crowds gather to spawn their thunder
Off my feet does nature sweep.

Sue Best
Stones in a circle
People sitting round
Looking at the hilltops
Hearing the sound
Of the wind in the rush
And the sheep in the grass
Baaing to each other
Waiting for the day to pass.

The cup of tea was very nice
The willow wine was just divine
And we have had a lovely time
A piece of cake, we had a slice!

ADDING LINES TO SHAKESPEARE
For this exercise we were all given the first lines from Shakespeare and then we had to complete them, inspired by our surroundings on the Nature Trail….....

Semele Xerri
I know a bank where the wild thyme blows
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows
The apples dappled rosy hanging low
Bend to the goose strolling loose to and fro

There is a willow grows aslant a brook
That shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream
Reflected in the water if you look
Is caught a frozen sliver of spring’s dream

Make me a willow cabin at your gate
And I will never have to leave you more
Within this leafy limbo will I wait
Till heaven grant salvation through your door

Gina Collinson, Jenna Ellen age 6 and Georgia Maye age 4
I know a bank where the wild thyme blows
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows
There are wild flowers swaying in the breeze
And apples drop from the fruit-heavy trees

There is a willow grows aslant a brook
That shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream
You can see the geese walking with a gaggle
Alongside the stream where you can hear it babble

Make me a willow cabin at your gate
Next to the waterfall that spills into the lake
With views of the bracken-filled hills above
And the vibrant colour of the wild foxglove

Madeleine Jutla, age 5
I know a bank where the wild thyme blows
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows
I’ll look around and have a nose
And then lie down to have a dose

There is a willow grows aslant a brook
That shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream
And the stream slows gently to a nook
Where I paddle in a dream

Aaron Jutla, age 7
I know a bank where the wild thyme blows
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows
Apples on the ground came to earth with the breeze
Foxgloves sway in the same music as the trees

Chas Jutla
There is a willow grows aslant a brook
That shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream
The clandestine branches won’t take a look
Its image incarnate remains supreme

Make me a willow cabin at your gate
So I can wallow in your welcome
Make the sunlight twist our fate
And may our friendship blossom

Phil Bowen
I know a bank where the wild thyme blows
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows
Where children sit on treestumps side by side
Or net the insects in the stream beside

There is a willow grows aslant a brook
That shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream
Why don’t you go there friend and take a look
For things aren’t always what they first may seem

Make me a willow cabin at your gate
Put deep foundations down of winding root
Make walls of willow stem to hold the roof
Whose leaves keep weather and the sun at bay

Toby Lloyd age 9 and Jan Lloyd
I know a bank where the wild thyme blows
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows
Nettle leaves are moving as west wind blows
Listen to the crunch as the apple explodes

There is a willow grows aslant a brook
That shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream
Stopping on the bridge to take a look
Through the ferns the waters gleam

Make me a willow cabin at your gate
The giant oak content to stand and wait
Where there is darkness there is life
Away from worries,cares and strife

Joey Lloyd age 7
I know a bank where the wild thyme blows
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows
The banks of wonder is the place of animals
Where the nature grows always is the place

There is a willow grows aslant a brook
That shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream
The hoar that grows on the trees
That’s over the stream that you would like to see

Make me a willow cabin at your gate
If I had a willow cabin it would be the best
Behind the gate as lovely nature

Val
I know a bank where the wild thyme blows
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows
Surrounded by aged lichened trees
Murmuring softly in the growing breeze

There is a willow grows aslant a brook
That shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream
And dips his twisting fingers in the flow
Of that gentle, ever-moving wet gleam

Make me a willow cabin at your gate
There it will grow and grow and never bate
Provide me with a leafy shelter green
Slender, strong, a rustling, living haven

Shakespeare Festival

We hold an annual festival exploring Shakespeare from many different angles and welcoming a varied collection of contributors, from authors and academics through to psychotherapists and psychics as well as artists and performers. There are always fantastic performances of the bard’s plays (or inspired by the bard) to watch, exhibitions to explore and workshops to participate in, and you can camp on site to make the most of your weekend experience.

Every year we have a theme. In 2009 it was a midsummer celebration of the Sonnets on the 400th anniversary of their publication and in 2010 it was the family in Shakespeare. What will it be in 2011? Watch this space to find out or click the link below to sign up for our Shakespeare Festival newsletter for all the latest:

Shakespeare Festival News

Here are some photos of Tim Carroll and his fantastic Factory Theatre Company performing As You Like It along the Nature Trail (photos by Factory Theatre member Faye Thomas).