Shakespeare Comes To Spinningfields

THE MOST famed and prolific writer in British history, hated by many GCSE students, Shakespeare produced thirty-nine plays that have been repeated, revised and reworked all over the world.

This is the GB Theatre Company's first visit to Manchester, and the first time The Lawns will play host to the work of Shakespeare.

To celebrate 450 years since Shakespeare's birth the green Lawns of Spinningfields will be the latest stage for the works of the Bard.

Spinningfields Lawns will be the backdrop for Shakespeare's works

The Lawns will be the naturalistic backdrop to Macbeth and A Comedy of Errors which will be perfomed in both evening and matinee performances from Friday 18 July to Sunday 20 July. The plays will be performed in traditional costumes with little or not set, in true Shakespearean style.

Macbeth is the classic tragedy of paranoia, murder and power as Scottish Lord Macbeth, pushed by his power hungry wife, kills friends and their families in his desire to be King.

GB Theatre Company actorA Comedy of Errors is one of Shakespeare’s lauded comedies involving slapstick and a case of mistaken identities. Involving two sets of twins and the mishaps between them, it involves genius word play and puns that the Bard became famous for. 

The works will be produced and acted by the GB Theatre Company, acclaimed for bringing some of the best open-air theatre to different parts of the UK and Europe.

This will be the GB Theatre Company's first visit to Manchester, and the first time The Lawns will play host to the work of Shakespeare.

The cast for both performances includes sister of Kenneth Branagh, Joyce Branagh, as Lady Macbeth, alongside Mia Keadell, Aonghus Weber and Jenny Johns amongst others. Both plays have a two hour running time plus a 20 minute interval.

With a capacity for 400 theatre goers, tickets are expected to sell out fast. Tickets cost £18 for adults and £14 for concessions.

Performances are as follows:

For more information and to book tickets, go to the GB Theatre Company website here.

Follow Niamh Spence on Twitter at @missnspence