Lytham Hall brings back outdoor theatre for the summer as Illyria announce Wind in the Willows production

Outdoor performances will go ahead this summer at Lytham Hall opening with the country’s leading open air touring specialists Illyria with a new production of “The Wind in the Willows.”
By Nicola Jaques
Published 20th Jul 2020, 12:31 BST
Updated 20th Jul 2020, 12:36 BST
Illyria peformers staged The Tempest in the grounds of Lytham Hall last yearIllyria peformers staged The Tempest in the grounds of Lytham Hall last year
Illyria peformers staged The Tempest in the grounds of Lytham Hall last year

The news of the programme follows announcements by culture secretary Oliver Dowden who in revealing the start of his roadmap to getting theatres back open, confirmed this month outdoor performances were now permitted adhering to strict social distancing practices.

The Lytham Hall production, taking place on Sunday August 16, will be one of the first venues in a six-week nationwide summer tour by Illyria and theatre organiser Julian Wilde said he was delighted to see the company return to the Fylde coast.

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He said: “This will be a joyful event for Lytham Hall after the closure and a very special production from Illyria’s artistic director Oliver Gray.

"All theatres and arts organisations have been struggling very badly during the pandemic, so it is wonderful to use the big area of the theatre lawn at the Hall and to be able to spread the audience out.

"I expect to have a sell-out audience of 200 for each performance and hope that theatregoers will come with a bubble of family and friends, preferably of six.”

There will be two performances of Kenneth Graham’s ever-popular tale of Rat, Mole, Badger and the bumptious Mr. Toad showing at 4.30pm and 7pm.

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Tickets for the hour long show must be booked in advance an cost £10 for adults and £7 for children of school age.

Manager at Lytham Hall, Peter Anthony,added the team were looking forward to welcoming Illyria and their loyal followers to the parkland of Hall, which opened on July 18 after four months of lockdown.

He said: “Illyria are superbly inventive and amusing at doubling up roles, so I think we are in for a treat.

"Their shows have been first class here for 10 years now and I think this production, with its contrasting and vivid characters will appeal to everyone.

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"It is an ideal opportunity for Fylde folk to show their support both for Lytham Hall and for the theatre company.”

Tickets available from Illyria www.illyria.co.uk by calling Lytham Hall on 01253 736652 or on Email [email protected]

Related topics:Lytham HallOliver DowdenFyldeTickets

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