|
|
The Company & Tolethorpe
A stage set in an enchanting glade, a company of fine actors ... the magic of Tolethorpe begins for you when you take your seat in one of Europe's finest open air theatres on a warm summer evening. Comfortably seated and protected from summer showers beneath an all-weather canopy there is no better way to enjoy the works of the world's greatest playwright in a perfect setting. This is the company's 25th year at Tolethorpe and 34th since the first season in the Monastery Garden of Stamford's historic George Hotel, in 1968.
Top
|
Twelfth Night
Sebastian and Viola, twin brother and sister and closely resembling
one another, are separated in a shipwreck off the coast of Illyria.
Viola, brought to shore in a boat, disguises herself as a youth,
Cesario, and takes service as page with Duke Orsino, who is
in love with the lady Olivia. She rejects the duke's suit and
will not meet him. Orsino makes a confidant of Cesario and sends
her to press his suit on Olivia, much to the distress of Cesario,
who has fallen in love with Orsino. Olivia in turn falls in
love with Cesario. Sebastian and Antonio, captain of the ship
that had rescued Sebastian, now arrive in Illyria. Cesario,
challenged to a duel by Sir Andrew Aguecheek, a rejected suitor
of Olivia, is rescued from her predicament by Antonio, who takes
her for Sebastian. Antonio, being arrested at that moment for
an old offence, claims from Cesario a purse that he had entrusted
to Sebastian, is denied it, and hauled off to prison. Olivia
coming upon the true Sebastian, takes him for Cesario, invites
him to her house, and marries him out of hand. Orsino comes
to visit Olivia. Antonio, brought before him, claims Cesario
as the youth he has rescued from the sea; while Olivia claims
Cesario as her husband. The duke, deeply wounded, is bidding
farewell to Olivia and the 'dissembling cub' Cesario, when the
arrival of the true Sebastian clears up the confusion. The duke,
having lost Olivia, and becoming conscious of the love that
Viola has betrayed, turns his affection to her, and they are
married.
From the BBC Arts Resource ...more
Top
|
King Lear
An ageing king decides to give up his throne and divide his
kingdom into three. He gives the kingdom away depending on how
his daughters reply to a question which is "how do you love
me?". Two of the daughters make speeches pretending to love
him and one tells him the truth. For her pains, she's banished
and the other two divide the kingdom. They then proceed by degrees
to force their father out of his own house, out onto the heath.
In the process he discovers that he has made a terrible and
fatal mistake and he's destroyed both by their cruelty towards
him and by his dawning insight as to the mistake that he has
made.
Michael Ignatieff ...more
Top
|
Beaux Stratagem - George Farquhar
Aimwell and Archer, two friends who have spent their inheritance,
arrive at the inn at Lichfield, in search of the adventure that
will rehabilitate their fortunes. To save money Archer pretends
to be Aimwell's servant. There is much speculation as to who
they are, and Boniface the landlord concludes that they are
highwaymen. This curiosity is shared by Dorinda, daughter of
the wealthy Lady Bountiful, who has fallen in love with Aimwell
at first sight--in church--and Mrs Sullen, wife of Lady Bountiful's
son, a drunken sot. Aimwell, thinking Dorinda a suitable prey,
gets admission to Lady Bountiful's house on a pretext, with
Archer, between whom and Mrs Sullen a mutual attraction has
sprung up. An attack by rogues on the house is the occasion
of the rescue of the ladies by Aimwell and Archer, and they
both press the advantage thus gained. But Aimwell, who has passed
himself off as his elder brother Lord Aimwell, smitten with
remorse in presence of the trustfulness of Dorinda, confesses
the fraud. At this moment Mrs Sullen's brother opportunely arrives,
to rescue his sister from the brutality of Sullen. He brings
news of the death of Aimwell's elder brother and of the accession
of Aimwell to title and fortune. Sullen at the same time willingly
agrees to the dissolution of his marriage, so that Mrs Sullen
is free to marry Archer, and all ends happily.
Top
|
|
|
Cool Site"
