Theatre Set-Up perform Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice
Sunday 18 July 6.30pm, with picnicking in the gardens from 5pm
The Manor Garden Theatre, Cossington
Charity raffle in support of Musgrove Park Hospital Scanner Appeal
On Sunday 18 July theatre-goers will be filling the Manor Garden Theatre armed with picnics, rugs and chairs to enjoy one of Shakespeare’s most famous comedies, The Merchant of Venice.
Theatre Set-Up, Europe’s long-established open-air Shakespeare touring theatre company, stops off at Cossington Concerts’ outdoor theatre on its annual UK tour. This is the company’s third visit to Cossington after successful performances of The Winter’s Tale in 2006 and All’s Well that Ends Well in 2008.
For those not familiar with the plot, expect to be thoroughly entertained by a story of three caskets of gold, silver and lead, one containing the promise of a hand in marriage; a loan made by Shylock, a vengeful money lender, to the Merchant of Venice Antonio in return for a pound of flesh should the loan not be repaid; masquerades and a beautiful heiress who disguises herself as a man and solves everyone's problems. Theatre Set-Up have produced this Shakespearean comedy play in the light of the Cabbala Tree of Life, costuming it in 18th century Venetian Carnival-style dress with music by Mozart played on a harp.
The Manor Garden Theatre is a wonderful setting for outdoor performance with its unique living willow shell designed by the willow sculptor Barbara Clift. The audience is encouraged to bring a rug and/or chair and a picnic to enjoy in the beautiful surroundings of the Manor Garden. The Garden is open for picnicking from 5pm and the play will commence at 6.30pm.
Cossington Concerts will be hosting a raffle during the evening in support of the Friends of Musgrove Park Hospital Scanner Appeal. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the League of Friends at Musgrove Park Hospital, which has raised over £5million to date. To mark this milestone the Friends are working with the hospital to raise £350,000 towards a new CT scanner enabling 24/7 diagnosis at the point of patient admission. |
