Fascinating setting for Shakespeare

It’s their Secret Spaces tour of Shakespeare’s The Tempest.

Performing in Markwick Gardens, St Leonard’s, over the bank holiday weekend, the company is transforming these subscription gardens into Prospero’s Island. Or is it Caliban’s? If you are not a Markwick Garden’s member, this is a great opportunity to see the gardens at their best and decide for yourself who really owns the island in this famous play.

Crow Tree’s sound artists begin their rehearsal process by recording the sounds in the performance environment. Whether the calls of the robin, the snuffles of the badger or the raging elements, these are developed and woven into the actors’ work with live musicians for a vivid and unique theatre experience.

Funny and frightening, Prospero will be settling scores with some extraordinary tests, tasks and traps. The mission: the restoration of his dukedom and his daughter, Miranda married. Love over logs is an effective way to secure a dynastic marriage, it seems.

The actors in this Crow Tree productions work out of Berlin, and London where the other venues in the tour are located. So August 28-30 is the only opportunity to catch this inventive theatre company in Sussex. Don’t miss this promenade production with refreshments/bar at the wedding parties before and after the island trials and tribulations. Visit http://www.crowtreetheatrecompany.co.uk/tempest.html to book tickets. Audience numbers are limited for a great view so reach for your wellies and a torch and book ahead. Children and dogs welcome.

Gates open 6.15pm for performance start at 7pm. Tickets Adults £12, children 16 or under, £9.