THE PLAYS FOR 2008 SEASON

The Wind in the Willows "There is absolutely nothing half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” Alan Bennett's acclaimed stage adaptation of Kenneth Grahame's classic novel captures vividly the idyllic world of the River Bank and the distant Wild Wood where wily weasels lie in wait. Nautical Ratty, modest Mole and wise old Badger are determined to save the irrepressible Mr Toad from his relentless passion for fast motor cars. Will the reckless Toad ever change his ways? Where will all this end? A timeless, enchanting story set in Edwardian England.

Romeo and Juliet “Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night” Passions aflame in fair Verona as ancient family rivalries burst upon a night of vibrant festivity. Fatally ensnared in the exchange are the immortal star-cross'd lovers, whose poignant tale of rapturous love has enthralled and captivated audiences across centuries.

Richard III "And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover... I am determined to prove a villain....” Shakespeare's version version of Richard III is the story of a young man in a hurry, deformed, ruthless, and ambitious. Each step of his ascent to the throne is over the body of someone he murdered, or arranged to have murdered.  Such is Shakespeare's genius that in spite of the sheer evil that this play depicts we are able at times to smile, as so much of the dialogue is interlaced with black comedy. Richard III is certainly one of Shakepeare's most gripping masterpieces. Top 2008 Plays      The Wind in the Willows      Romeo & Juliet      Richard III M T W T F S Matinee Eve June 9 10 11 12 13   14   17 18 19 20   21 23 24 25 26 27   28 July 30 1 2 3 4   5   8 9 10 11   12 14 15 16 17 18 19 19 21 22 23 24 25   26 28 29 30 31 1 2 2 August 4 5 6 7 8   9 11 12 13 14 15   16 18 19 20 21 22   23 25 26 27 28 29   30 Evening performances 8pm start Matinee performances 1.30pm start Grounds and Car Park open from 5pm, Free coach and car park.   Add your name and address to our mailing list to receive annual colour brochure for next season Name Address   Rutland Open Air Theatre The Garden Foyer   Stage set for "Twelfth Night", 2003 Top Pre-performance entertainment - Gala Night Distinguished Gala Night visitor - actor, Richard Todd, with (second left) Jean Harley, founder and director of Stamford Shakespeare Company. What our visitors say... "We hugely enjoyed our evening including a rattling good performance of Hamlet." Richard & Virginia Todd "Shakespeare would have been proud. My grateful thanks and admiration to the cast for this wonderfully performed play." (Love's Labour's Lost). Nicole Fayard-Smillie, Leicester "What I saw (Romeo & Juliet) was hardly amateur...the Company has an exceptionally high standard." Jane Lapotaire, Radio 4 arts programme "The costumes for "The Dream"  were wonderful and the characterisation superb. Many congratulations!" Mrs Veronica Shepherd, West Sussex "The Beaux' Stratagem was an excellent and amusing production. I cannot imagine a summer without Tolethorpe." Pauline Caville, Northampton "Incredibly breathtaking... absolutely magical... I will have to return to see it again!" (A Midsummer Night's Dream) Denise Barnfield, Anglia TV "How fantastic the whole atmosphere is at Tolethorpe. We sat engrossed from start to finish of Twelfth Night." Paul Burchell, Biggleswade "What a lovely way to spend a beautiful summer evening." E.A. Duffin, Stamford "Truly magical... the acting was superb. We didn't want the evening to end." M & S Pacey, Leicester "King Lear was a most wonderful production. The King was riveting." R & I Prentice, Sleaford "The Beaux' Stratagem was a delightful experience. Far more so than we expected." J & S Rumens, Cannock, Staffs

Magical setting for a production of
"A Midsummer Night's Dream"

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