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.co.uk if you’d you like to get involved.”
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”.
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.
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”
