Support Polesden Lacey Shakespeare

A New Beginning

The works of Shakespeare have been performed, since 1951, in the Open Air Theatre at the National Trust property Polesden Lacey, near Bookham in Surrey. The theatre was created in the grounds of this country mansion through the work of the Bookham Community Association. Performances of Shakespeare’s plays have been part of the summer festival under the umbrella of the National Trust. A new company, Polesden Lacey Shakespeare, has been formed to carry on this tradition. The National Trust continues support for our future plans but we need to find extra funding to help us progress our activities.

This year we present ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ on Saturdays 11th and 18th July and Sundays 12th and 19th July starting at 3pm. The production is directed and adapted by Margaret Hunter to make it accessible to all audience members young or old, with entertainment before and during the interval. Dorking Hall Box Office (01306 881717) have kindly agreed to act as our booking agency. Sale of tickets will commence on 2 April. Further information is available on www.polesden.co.uk.

What would we like you to do?

We have obtained an amount of funding but would of course welcome further support. A team of local professionals have been drawn together to prepare for the productions not only from the artistic but also the commercial point of view. We would like to grow the strength of Polesden Lacey Shakespeare to provide, in these idyllic surroundings, Shakespeare for audiences from the local community, London and the South East.

Last year the National Trust launched the Friends of Polesden Lacey Shakespeare. We have now taken it over from the Trust and are inviting public help to build the future of this much loved local tradition. We have taken over the website that was used for the festival and invite those interested in becoming a Friend to ring 01372 453638 or visit www.polesden.co.uk, for a joining form.

Whatever you choose to do, we do hope you will come and enjoy this enchanting play in the glorious surroundings of Polesden Lacey.

With all best wishes from
Margaret Hunter and Polesden Lacey Shakespeare