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5 Star Review

“TDTC sets a new standard
for open air theatre”

BBC Radio Wiltshire

5 Star Review

“The humour, (especially the humour) 
is impeccably presented”

Hastings Independent

“…look into happiness through another man’s eyes!”
The ancient Forest of Arden serves as the backdrop for Shakespeare’s most famous and quotable comedy. When Rosalind is banished from Duke Ferdinand’s court, new identities are explored with hilarious consequences. Music, mayhem and madness thrill as we are shown that “All the world’s a stage”. 

 

Back for a fourth Summer Season, The Duke’s Theatre Company follow their acclaimed tours of Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Twelfth Night with As You Like It.

Kevin Bennett, (Shakespeare’s Globe, Shaw Festival, Ontario) directs this brand-new production that will visit fifty of the UK’s most magical venues including The Minack, Wilton’s Music Hall and Hever Castle. This As You Like It will live on in your memory“forever and a day”.

AS YOU LIKE IT TOUR

6th June - 1st September, 2024

Brighton Open Air Theatre

Brighton Open Air Theatre
Brighton, BN3 6EH

Date: Thursday 6th June
Time: 2pm

Brighton Open Air Theatre

Brighton Open Air Theatre
Brighton, BN3 6EH

Date: Thursday 6th June
Time: 7pm

Brighton Open Air Theatre

Brighton Open Air Theatre
Brighton, BN3 6EH

Date: Friday 7th June
Time: 7pm

Brighton Open Air Theatre

Brighton Open Air Theatre
Brighton, BN3 6EH

Date: Saturday 8th June
Time: 2pm

Brighton Open Air Theatre

Brighton Open Air Theatre
Brighton, BN3 6EH

Date: Saturday 8th June
Time: 7pm

The Master Builder’s House

The Master Builder’s House
Beaulieu, SO42 7XB

Date: Sunday 9th June
Time: 4pm

Powis Castle & Garden

Powis Castle & Garden
Welshpool, SY21 8RF

Date: Wednesday 12th June
Time: 6.30pm

Walkden Gardens

Walkden Gardens
Sale, M33 3EL

Date: Thursday 13th June
Time: 7pm

Heskin Hall

Heskin Hall
Chorley, PR7 5PA

Date: Friday 14th June
Time: 7pm

Haigh Woodland Park

Haigh Woodland Park
Wigan, WN21PE

Date: Saturday 15th June
Time: 7pm

The Lowther Pavilion

The Lowther Pavilion
Lytham, FY8 5QQ

Date: Sunday 16th June
Time: 4pm

Botanic Gardens, University of Leicester

Botanic Gardens, Uni of Leicester
Leicester LE2 2LD

Date: Wednesday 19th June
Time: 7pm

Botanic Gardens, University of Leicester

Botanic Gardens, Uni of Leicester
Leicester LE2 2LD (Signed Performance)

Date: Thursday 20th June
Time: 7pm

Kirkstall Abbey

Kirkstall Abbey
Leeds, LS5 3EH

Date: Friday 21st June
Time: 7pm

Nostell

Nostell
Wakefield, WF4 1QE

Date: Saturday 22nd June
Time: 7pm

Spring Cottage

Spring Cottage
BoltonBL6 7SB

Date: Sunday 23rd June
Time: 4pm

Kingston Lacy

Kingston Lacy
Wimborne Minster, BH21 4EA

Date: Wednesday 26th June
Time: 7pm

Scorrier House

Scorrier House
Redruth, TR16 5AU

Date: Thursday 27th June
Time: 7pm

Trebah Garden

Trebah Garden
Mawnan Smith, TR11 5JZ

Date: Friday 28th June
Time: 7pm

Trebah Garden

Trebah Garden
Mawnan Smith, TR11 5JZ

Date: Saturday 29th June
Time: 7pm

The Minack

The Minack
Penzance, TR19 6JU

Date: Monday 1st July
Time: 7.30pm

The Minack

The Minack
Penzance, TR19 6JU

Date: Tuesday 2nd July
Time: 3pm

The Minack

The Minack
Penzance, TR19 6JU

Date: Tuesday 2nd July
Time: 7.30pm

The Minack

The Minack
Penzance, TR19 6JU

Date: Wednesday 3rd July
Time: 7.30pm

The Minack

The Minack
Penzance, TR19 6JU

Date: Thursday 4th July
Time: 3pm

The Minack

The Minack
Penzance, TR19 6JU

Date: Thursday 4th July
Time: 7.30pm

Torre Abbey

Torre Abbey
Torquay, TQ25JE

Date: Saturday 6th July
Time: 7pm

Torre Abbey

Torre Abbey
Torquay, TQ25JE

Date: Sunday 7th July
Time: 2pm

William Cecil

William Cecil
Stamford, PE9 2LJ

Date: Wednesday 10th July
Time: 7pm

Thorington Theatre

Thorington Theatre
Thorington, IP17 3RB

Date: Thursday 11th July
Time: 7.30pm

Sennowe Park

Sennowe Park
Guist, NR20 5PB

Date: Friday 12th July
Time: 7pm

Tealby Cumberland Ring Village Hall

Tealby Village Hall
Tealby, LN8 3XY

Date: Saturday 13th July
Time: 7pm

Norwood Park

Norwood Park
Southwell, NG25 0PF

Date: Sunday 14th July
Time: 4pm

Conwy Castle

Conwy Castle
Conwy, LL32 8AY

Date: Wednesday 17th July
Time: 7.30pm

Conwy Castle

Conwy Castle
Conwy, LL32 8AY

Date: Thursday 18th July
Time: 7.30pm

Caernarfon Castle

Caernarfon Castle
Caernarfon, LL55 2AY

Date: Friday 19th July
Time: 7.30pm

Caernarfon Castle

Caernarfon Castle
Caernarfon, LL55 2AY

Date: Saturday 20th July
Time: 7.30pm

Denbigh Castle

Denbigh Castle
Denbigh, LL16 3NB

Date: Sunday 21st July
Time: 7.30pm

Kidwelly Castle

Kidwelly Castle
Kidwelly, SA17 5BQ

Date: Wednesday 24th July
Time: 7.30pm

Kidwelly Castle

Kidwelly Castle
Kidwelly, SA17 5BQ

Date: Thursday 25th July
Time: 7.30pm

Raglan Castle

Raglan Castle
Raglan, NP15 2BT

Date: Friday 26th July
Time: 7.30pm

Chepstow Castle

Chepstow Castle
Chepstow, NP16 5EY

Date: Saturday 27th July
Time: 7.30pm

Caldicot Castle

Caldicot Castle & Country Park
Caldicot, NP26 4HU

Date: Sunday 28th July
Time: 4pm

Hedingham Castle

Hedingham Castle
Halstead, CO9 3DJ

Date: Wednesday 31st July
Time: 7pm

Wilton's Music Hall

Wilton's Music Hall
London, E1 8JB

Date: Thursday 1st August
Time: 7.30pm

Wilton's Music Hall

Wilton's Music Hall
London, E1 8JB

Date: Friday 2nd August
Time: 7.30pm

Wimpole Estate

Wimpole Estate
Royston, SG8 0BW

Date: Saturday 3rd August
Time: 7pm

Bletchley-Park-image.jpg

Bletchley Park
Milton Keynes, MK3 6E

Date: Sunday 4th August
Time: 6pm

Tretower Court

Tretower Court and Castle
Tretower, NP8 1RF

Date: Wednesday 7th August
Time: 7.30pm

Tretower Court

Tretower Court and Castle
Tretower, NP8 1RF

Date: Thursday 8th August
Time: 7.30pm

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Birmingham, B15 3TR

Date: Friday 9th August
Time: 7.30pm

Trentham Estate

Trentham Estate
Trentham, ST4 8JG

Date: Saturday 10th August
Time: 7pm

Trentham Estate

Trentham Estate
Trentham, ST4 8JG

Date: Sunday 11th August
Time: 4pm

Berkeley Castle

Berkeley Castle
Berkeley, GL13 9PJ

Date: Wednesday 14th August
Time: 7pm

Berkeley Castle

Berkeley Castle
Berkeley, GL13 9PJ

Date: Thursday 15th August
Time: 7pm

Bowood House and Garden

Bowood House and Garden
Calne, SN11 0LZ

Date: Friday 16th August
Time: 7pm

Tudor Hall

Tudor Hall
Banbury, OX16 9UR

Date: Friday 17th August
Time: 7pm

Sudeley Castle

Sudeley Castle & Gardens
Winchcombe, GL54 5JD

Date: Sunday 18th August
Time: 5pm

Garden Theatre, Bath

Garden Theatre, Bath
Bath, BA2 4DB

Date: Wednesday 21st August
Time: 7pm

Hartlebury Castle

Hartlebury Castle
Kidderminster, DY11 7XZ

Date: Thursday 22nd August
Time: 7pm

Kingston Maurward

Kingston Maurward
Dorchester, DT2 8PY

Date: Friday 23rd August
Time: 7pm

Fairlight Hall

Fairlight Hall
Fairlight, TN35 5DR

Date: Saturday 24th August
Time: 7pm

Fairlight Hall

Fairlight Hall
Fairlight, TN35 5DR

Date: Sunday 25th August
Time: 4pm

Goodnestone Park Gardens

Goodnestone Park Gardens
Goodnestone, CT3 1PJ

Date: Monday 26th August
Time: 7pm

Hever Castle

Hever Castle
Hever, TN8 7NG

Date: Wednesday 28th August
Time: 8pm

Highcliffe Castle

Highcliffe Castle
Highcliffe, BH23 4LE

Date: Thursday 29th August
Time: 7pm

Spetchley Park Gardens

Spetchley Park Gardens
Spetchley, WR5 1RS

Date: Friday 30th August
Time: 7pm

Woodhill Park

Woodhill Park
Oswestry, SY10 9AS

Date: Saturday 31st August
Time: 6pm

Reigate Castle Grounds

Reigate Castle Grounds
Reigate RH2 0SH

Date: Wednesday 4th September
Time: 4pm

BOOK HERE
ABOUT

ABOUT US

The Duke’s Theatre Company was established in 2019 as an ambitious contributor to the UK’s thriving Open Air theatre scene. The original mission statement read: 

 

“Our aim is to bring industry leading, accessible productions of some of our greatest Classical works, as well as original works, to communities around the UK with energy and accuracy; engaging audiences both young and old. Our production values are high, and we work with the best possible standard of creatives, performers and artists.

After a successful, decade long career as an actor and composer, founder Bobby Delaney had registered TDTC and started to approach venues to host the inaugural tour; Romeo and Juliet. Berkey Castle was the first to sign up and provided confidence that the Open-Air market would welcome a fresh injection of high quality, accessible productions of the classics. Covid hit in February 2020 and the tour, (having been designed, cast and put on sale,) was shelved indefinitely. It wasn’t until the following Summer, as the world tentatively came back to life, that Romeo and Juliet opened at Brighton Open Air Theatre, before touring to 22 venues to great acclaim. 

The company went on to increase the tour the following year with A Midsummer Night’s Dream. By 2023, the touring model had grown to 55 venues including an indoor visit to Wilton’s Music Hall. Also on the Twelfth Night tour, the company fund-raised to purchase a tour van. 

 

For 2024, As You Like It will proudly visit the jewel in the UK’s Open-Air circuit: The Minack. The core values: working with the highest calibre artists, using the original text, commissioning original music, and making productions ambitious and accessible remain central to all the work TDTC produce.

 

The registered office is in Brighton, and the tour takes in locations as far as Penzance and Aberdeen. The small team of Bobby (Producer), Laura (Associate Producer), Daniel, (Website and Designer) and Rosie (Socials and PR) work through the dark months to get everything ready for the launch in March. In May, the Director, Designer, Composer, Stage Manager and Acting Company first come together in London for a month to put together the production that will reach some 40 000 people between June and September. 

 

The venue partners are involved from the beginning of the tour booking process to ensure that each event is tailored to the specific requirement of each individual audience. TDTC is proud to work with a huge variety of organisations, including overall bodies CADW, The National Trust, The University of Leicester, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, as well as dozens of individual organisations taking in the likes of Bowood House and Gardens, Berkeley Castle and Highcliffe Castle. A number of family run houses and gardens, including Fairlight Hall, Sennowe Park and Norwood Park have joined the tour list and prove to be hugely popular with patrons.

GET INVOLVED

Donate, Support

The Duke’s Theatre Company receives no public or government funding and intends to self-generate the finance for all productions. Its inception was generously supported by a small number of key Supporting Founders, and the company wishes to record its gratitude to the following individuals here.

 

Jonathan Courage | Rosemary and Terry St John | Debbie and Chris Norris

Enid Dunhill | Emily and Ryan Elsworth | TJ | Christine and Dave Nutall

Shamia Chalabi | Stuart Mallalieu | Helen Nuttall 

The generosity of our patrons and friends can help to ensure that our future is secure. As well as donations, we welcome sponsorship of specific props and costumes, or even helping us with rehearsal room access for workshops. 

 

If you would like to join our group of supporters, or make a one-off donation, please email:
info@thedukestheatrecompany.co.uk

 

 

Programme Inclusion

For each tour, The Duke’s Theatre Company produces a high-quality, glossy souvenir brochure. We sell roughly 20 000 of  these across an average tour, and half a page of advertising can be bought for £300. 

 

Join our Venue Family

We are continually looking for exciting locations to add to our family of venue partners. 

Venues considered range from stately homes and castles, to private gardens and Open Air theatres. 

Attractive commercial rates, and a bespoke marketing package ensure each event is professionally and competitively managed. Arrangements can also be made for one off, private performances.

For more information, or to suggest a suitable venue, please email 

bobby@thedukestheatrecompany.co.uk

 

Casting

The Duke’s Theatre Company take casting submissions at any time, with initial meetings and recalls taking place in March. We actively seek actors with a particular flair for Classical practice, as well as a robust constitution for Open Air touring. 

 

We are proud to offer an Equity contract to our artists, as well as single occupancy accommodation throughout the entire engagement (rehearsal and playing). The playing schedule is Wednesday to Sunday weekly, with the intention for the company to return home for two full days off per week. 

 

Casting submissions are seriously considered. A covering note should accompany a spotlight link via email, with agents details included. Please wirte to info@thedukestheatrecompany.co.uk with the subject line ‘FAO Casting’.

Red Squirrel
Get Involved

VENUE TESTIMONIALS

“We were delighted to work with the Duke's Theatre Company in 2021. Their performance of Romeo & Juliet was lauded by our visitors and feedback was unanimously positive. Working with the team was great. The lead-up to the event was effortless and the marketing materials he provided was of a very high quality. The ease & efficiency of their set-up when onsite was exemplary and the actors were friendly and fun to work with. We very much look forward to hosting The Duke's Theatre Company again in 2022.”
 

Jenny Low
Visitor Business Manager Berkeley Castle

“We were delighted to welcome Duke's Theatre Company to Goodnestone Park in 2021, and will be scheduling a return visit for 2022. Particularly impressive was the thought and time given to promoting the production via print and social media, efforts which were reflected in ticket sales. The affable Company Director maintained excellent communication throughout the booking process, and our share of the house was promptly paid. The production itself received glowing reviews, one audience member tweeting “Fantastic interpretation of Romeo and Juliet at Goodnestone Park Gardens last night. Brilliantly performed, amazing and clever staging, well worth a watch”. 

Sally Lewis

Goodnestone Park Gardens 

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