Outdoor festivals of Shakespeare are a tried and tested formula which has proven successful in almost every major cultural capital in Europe and North America – New York, London, Chicago, Vancouver, Paris, Helsinki, San Francisco – even Bozeman, Montana! Bard in the Botanics is proud to have added the name of Glasgow to this list.
Since our first festival, we have staged more than 25 productions of Shakespeare's work to audiences totalling over 30,000. Below is a list of just some of our most recent work:
Bard in the Botanics 2006
The Winter's Tale, directed by Gordon Barr
"as intelligent, thoughtful and heartfelt a version of this great play as any audience could hope to see" Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman
The Comedy of Errors, directed by Gordon Barr
"You would have to search far and wide to find a bolder, brasher, funnier Shakespeare comedy this summer" Mark Brown, Daily Telegraph
David Leddy's Sussurus
"a magical blend of sorrow, anger, compassion, excellent writing and magnificent music" Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman
Bard in the Botanics 2005
Romeo and Juliet, directed by Gordon Barr
"electrifying and a ferocious command of the text, and a pulsing sense, often completely absent on the British stage, of the link between words and action in Shakespeare's text" Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman
Twelfth Night, directed by Gordon Barr
"a delightful production and has an indefinable something that makes watching it unfold a joyous experience" Ken Speirs, The Mail on Sunday
Lear, adapted from King Lear, directed by Scott Palmer
"It's rare in Scotland to see a production that engages so thoroughly and creatively with the substance of a great Shakespeare text - a 21st century Lear to cherish" Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman
Bard in the Botanics 2004
A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by Gordon Barr
"keeps the audience bubbling with appreciation throughout and boasts performances to die for" Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman
Richard III, directed by Scott Palmer
"they bring the Bard to life, playing with conviction, understanding and increasing skill" Edinburgh Guide
The Taming of the Shrew, directed by Gordon Barr
"full of sharp acting; genuine wit and that sense of joie de vivre that can make outdoor Shakespeare such a memorable experience" Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman
Macbeth, directed by Andrew McKinnon
"genuinely moving and creates much of the freedom that is exciting in outdoor theatre" The Independent
Other productions include "Shakespeare's R & J"; Infinite Variety: Shakespeare's Women; Antony and Cleopatra; Henry V; Measure for Measure; As You Like It; The Tempest; Much Ado About Nothing; Kabuki-Titus; and many more.
Bard in the Botanics has performed in conjunction with Perth International Festival of the Arts, Big in Falkirk, the Merchant City Festival, Cumbernauld Theatre, North Lanarkshire Youth Arts Festival, Gilmorehill G12 and the West End Festival.
Supporting the Company
Bard in the Botanics is committed to bringing high-quality, imaginative and accessible productions of Shakespeare's to audiences from across Scotland and beyond. In order to fulfil our ambitions, we need the help and support of individuals and companies.
For more information on how you or your company can help to support this unique festival, e-mail admin@bardinthebotanics.org or telephone 0141 334 9016.