Brand new outdoor venue in Cassiobury Park announced by Watford Palace Theatre and local commercial producers Part of Watford Palace Theatre Spring/Summer season. @watfordpalace | watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk I: @thestageinthepark | T: @stageinthepark | Stageinthepark.co.uk
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Watford Palace Theatre is about to reopen and has used the lockdown as an opportunity to build exciting new collaborations and fresh thinking, bringing the company back bigger and better than ever.
The Stage in the Park is a brand new 500 seater venue in the heart of award winning Cassiobury Park. Co-producing with Watford Palace Theatre and Watford Borough Council are West End theatre makers and Watford residents Harlequin Theatricals. The venue will adopt a festival vibe with “inclusivity and diversity at its heart”, presenting a range of theatre, comedy and live music, as well as offering a fully licenced bar, food and stalls from local suppliers and creative businesses, from the 23 July to the 8 August 2021. The broad programme will include a performance from the recently established Palace Young Company, and will appeal to all, with opportunities for the community and local creatives to engage.
James Williams, Associate Director at Watford Palace Theatre says: “We’re looking forward to meeting new young creative voices and performers in the town - contact us on takepart@watfordpalacetheatre.
Dan Clarkson of Harlequin Theatricals says “It is with great excitement that we are able to bring The Stage in The Park to Cassiobury this summer. Sharing this brand-new outdoor experience with the community means so much to us. I am delighted to be collaborating with both Watford Borough Council and the Watford Palace Theatre, presenting a dynamic season of diverse cultural entertainment from popular children’s shows to top comedy performances, from electrifying music to engaging community theatre, from emerging local artists to well known names. This is a chance for us all to safely come back together and enjoy the arts like never before right here on The Stage in the Park”.
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor said “In Watford we are rightly proud of the range of wonderful cultural and entertainment events organised throughout the year. Despite the recent challenges, I am so pleased that we will be able to bring our town together in this way. Working with Watford Palace Theatre and Harlequin Theatricals, we are looking forward be showcasing some of the country’s top artists and performers, supporting local jobs and businesses and providing fantastic events for people of all ages. Arts, entertainment and culture will play a vital part in rebuilding our confidence and enthusiasm for life and whilst Imagine Watford will not run as it normally does I know that many of us are really excited about these plans. We will transform Watford’s outdoor spaces into places of wonder and excitement, with dance, comedy and art in COVID-secure settings. I can’t wait to enjoy some fantastic performances across our town.”
For those who still prefer to enjoy their culture remotely, The Secret Garden Experience by WPT creative associate Wizard Presents and Romeo and Juliet by Creation Theatre offer the opportunity to enjoy these classic stories at home – with modern twists. Romeo and Juliet is presented digitally with audiences choosing their own adventure– with the option to change the fate of the lovers! The Secret Garden Experience matches brilliant and engaging storytelling by Danyah Miller with beautiful music by WPT Creative Associate Arun Ghosh – alongside a limited edition eco-friendly box of activities to enjoy with friends and family; ideal for half term!
For those who are ready to return to the venue, Watford Palace Theatre is offering a series of socially distanced film screenings of hit West End and Sadler’s Wells shows Kinky Boots, 42nd Street and Matthew Bourne’s Romeo and Juliet.
Watford Palace Theatre continues its commitment to nurturing new theatrical talent and the local community by launching the Homegrown programme, supporting freelancers based in the Three Counties area in making new work during the pandemic, funded through the Culture Recovery Fund During lockdown the company also set up a new Youth Advisory Board - a decision making group for 14-25 year olds, an age group facing particular challenges due to Covid, working alongside the theatre’s Board and staff team to shape the future direction of the theatre.
Imagine Watford is REimagineD for 2021! Watford Palace Theatre have “REimagineD” itsr annual outdoor celebration to ensure it is COVID safe but still full of fun. It will be a little different from previous years, but will once again transform Watford outdoor spaces into a place of wonder and excitement, with dance, comedy and art for all the family to enjoy for free this July. Watch this space for more announcements.
Artistic director Brigid Larmour said “We’re very happy to be back! - outdoors, indoors and online, doing what we love best, with and for the community around us. We’re proud to be supporting local freelance and independent artists in our Homegrown programme, and thrilled to be working with our friends Chris and Dan, local independent producers, on The Stage in the Park, in the stunning surroundings of Cassiobury. Collaboration is in our DNA”
Watford Palace Theatre inspires and entertains through inventive, ambitious and inclusive drama, new plays, musicals, dance and family shows; free outdoor festivals; diverse stand-up; and a much-loved traditional pantomime. It reflects its diverse communities, and fully represents women, both onstage and behind the scenes whilst celebrating and developing creativity and skill in the community and with young people. The theatre’s locally produced shows and home-grown talent have toured nationally and internationally, been seen on BBC iPlayer, won awards and transferred to the West End. Recent productions include Talking Heads; an all-female Gaslight; the UK’s first African-American Glass Menagerie; and Ayckbourn’s Absurd Person Singular. World premieres include musicals Miss Meena & the Masala Queens and I Capture the Castle, and plays good dog by Arinze Kene, Poppy+George by Diane Samuels, Coming Up by Neil d’Souza, Jefferson’s Garden by Timberlake Wertenbaker, and Jumpers for Goalposts by Tom Wells, Creative Associates are central to WPT’s vision: they include Resident Partner Company Rifco Theatre Company, and tiata fahodzi.
@watfordpalace | https://watfordpalacetheatre.
Listings information
Watford Palace Theatre
20 Clarendon Road, Watford, WD17 1JZ
Box office: 01923 225 671 | sales@watfordpalacetheatre.co.
https://watfordpalacetheatre.
Supported by Arts Council England and Watford Borough Council
Programme:
In association with Wizard Presents and Oxford Playhouse
THE SECRET GARDEN EXPERIENCE
Digital/Home Experience
Immerse yourself in this unique magical adventure to share at home. Award-winning storyteller Danyah Miller leads a superb creative team to bring Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden to life, through a beautifully crafted postal gift box, containing a unique, interactive blend of physical, audio and digital experiences! This inter-generational, interactive and interwoven project can be enjoyed from home by both families and people living on their own.
31 May 2021 onwards
£25 | Ages 6-106
https://watfordpalacetheatre.
Creation Theatre Rep Company presents
ROMEO & JULIET
Digital, Zoom Event
Are you a Montague or a Capulet? It’s time to pick a side! Travel to Verona to meet the world’s most famous star-crossed lovers, in an expansive digital universe. Join audiences across the world to experience live performance, filmed scenes and choose-your-own-adventure style gameplay. Immersive, fast-paced and interactive, this extraordinary adaptation puts you at the heart of the action.
12 – 23 May 2021, 7:30pm
One device £20, extras ticket £16 (A whole household can watch on one device) | Ages 10+
https://watfordpalacetheatre.
Filmed Live at the Adelphi Theatre, London
KINKY BOOTS: THE MUSICAL
Cinema
Inspired by true events, this huge-hearted hit tells the story of two people with nothing in common – or so they think. Charlie (Killian Donnelly) is a factory owner struggling to save his family business, and Lola (Matt Henry) is a fabulous entertainer with a wildly exciting idea. With a little compassion and a lot of understanding, this unexpected pair learn to embrace their differences and create a line of sturdy stilettos unlike any the world has ever seen! But in the end, their most sensational achievement is their friendship.
22 May 2021, 8pm
£16 | Rate 12a
https://watfordpalacetheatre.
Filmed Live at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London
MATTHEW BOURNE’S ROMEO & JULIET
Cinema
This passionate and contemporary re-imagining of Shakespeare’s classic story of love and conflict is set in the not too distant future in ‘The Verona Institute’. Here ‘difficult’ young people are mysteriously confined by a society that seeks to divide and crush their youthful spirit and individuality. Our two young lovers must follow their hearts as they risk everything to be together.
26 May, 8pm
£16 | Rated 12a
https://watfordpalacetheatre.
Filmed Live at The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London
42ND STREET: THE MUSICAL
Cinema
42nd Street, the legendary Broadway musical theatre classic, tells the story of Peggy Sawyer, a talented young performer with stars in her eyes who gets her big break on Broadway. This is the largest ever staging of the Tony® Award-winning musical and it was filmed live at the magnificent Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, in the heart of London’s West End. Fresh off the bus from small-town America Peggy is just another face in the chorus line on Broadway’s newest show. But when the leading lady gets injured, Peggy might just have the shot at stardom she’s always dreamed of…
28 May, 8pm
£16 | Rated PG
https://watfordpalacetheatre.
Mei Theatrical Ltd & Mei Family Entertainment Ltd presents
SARAH AND DUCK’S BIG TOP BIRTHDAY
Family Friendly
The enchanting world of Sarah and Duck is brought to life featuring the wonderful characters from the BAFTA award-winning CBeebies show. Join Sarah and Duck and a host of your favourite friends including The Ribbon Sisters, The Shallots, Flamingo & John and Umbrella, as they plan a birthday party for Scarf Lady in their garden. Told through a fantastic blend of puppetry, storytelling and music, Sarah and Duck’s Big Top Birthday will take you and your children on a magical adventure
3-4 June 2021
£12 | Ages 3+
https://watfordpalacetheatre.
Kate Flat Projects presents
PUCK’S SHADOW
R+D, Theatre, Dance
Join us in the very first public sharing of a brand new dance theatre work about how Shakespeare’s Puck, the mischievous, immortal, shape shifter meets with a lonely, elder woman. Watford Palace Theatre artistic associate, Kate Flatt, returns with a team of accomplished creative collaborators to create a work that reflects upon life, age, agelessness and everything in between. Through Kate’s award winning choreography, an original script by Anna Reynolds, original music by Anna Phoebe and a world of Shadows and Light created by lighting designer Simisola Majekodunmi, we invite you to delve into a dreamlike world of memories and wonder.
Part of Homegrown
10 June 2021
£6 (£4 conc) | Ages 12+
https://watfordpalacetheatre.
Kenny Cumino presents
PINT SIZED POETRY
Digital, Spoken Word
Are you ready for a night of Poems and Pints with Palace @ Home? PINT SIZED POETRY IS BACK! And with a twist. Corona Verses will take place on Zoom, and promises to be a night of spoken word, magic, and music from a selection of the UK’s most talented and emerging artists. We’ve got a stellar line-up including some returning favourites and a few new funky faces. It’s the perfect way to network and listen to some cracking new writing.
11 June 2021
£8 | Ages 14+
https://watfordpalacetheatre.
Fly High Stories present
TOGETHER/APART NHS
Digital theatre, Home Experience, Family Friendly
Captain P.I.Lot and the Super Computer are stuck in space. Can you help them get home again? Join Fly High Stories in Together/Apart a FREE interactive online performance designed particularly for NHS front line workers and their children. Expect an out of this world story, problem solving, silly games, and lots of giggles.
12 June 2021
FREE to NHS front line workers | Ages 4-10
If you'd like to take part then email flyhighstories@gmail.com with 'Together/Apart performance' in the subject line. A link for the special Space Portal will be sent three days before the session begins.
Kenny Cumino presents
PINT SIZED POETRY – SPOKEN WORD MASTERCLASS
Digital, Spoken Word, Workshop
Lead by Pint Sized Poetry Producer Kenny Cumino join us for this digital crash course in getting your chops round spoken word performance. Everyone welcome, from beginners to regular performers who want to brush up on the basics. The session price is super accessible but if you are a creative freelancer or student and it’s a bit of a stretch, get in touch with us as we have some free places available.
17 June 2021
£5 | Ages 16+
https://watfordpalacetheatre.
Townsend Theatre Productions present
THE TALKING HORSE BOX
Live Theatre, Outdoor Theatre
Popping up near Watford door steps soon! The Talking Horse Venue is a fully functioning, self-contained outdoor theatre space: a horse-box front-of-house & large hexagonal tent, that can pitch up in any accessible outdoor area: garden, car park, green or park. ‘Farewell Leicester Square’ is a one-man play about Jamaican-born Joe Clough, Britain’s first black bus driver, who, having passed his omnibus test in 1910, drove the number 11 bus, before driving ambulances in the Great War, and settling down in Bedford, driving his own taxi until his retirement in the 1960s.
Part of Homegrown
3-4 & 10-11 July 2021
£6 (£4 conc)
Watford Palace Theatre presents
IMAGINE WATFORD
Outdoor Theatre, Dance, Music and events
We are excited to announce that the festival will return in 2021! We have REimagineD our annual outdoor celebration to ensure we are COVID safe but still full of fun. It might not be the same as previous years, but we promise to transform Watford outdoor spaces once again into a place of wonder and excitement, with dance, comedy and art for all the family to enjoy! We will be popping up across Watford with mini festival sites bringing you the best of the Imagine experiences. Look out for fun installations in the centre of town during July andsome special events on the event site by the pond.
3 – 18 July 2021
FREE | All ages
Presented by Watford Palace Theatre and Harlequin Theatricals
THE STAGE IN THE PARK WATFORD
Outdoor theatre, comedy and music
A brand new 500 seater venue in the heart of award winning Cassiobury Park, presenting a range of theatre, comedy and live music all summer, as well as offering a fully licenced bar, food and stalls from local suppliers and creative businesses.
22 July – 8 August 2021
Ticketed | All ages
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