2007 Festival

Scotland's only festival of Shakespeare will return for a sixth season filled with romance and excitement and headlined by two of the Bard's most popular works, Othello and A Midsummer Night's Dream.

A Midsummer Night's Dream
Preview: Wed 27th June (£9 / £6)
Thurs 28th June - Sat 14th July (£11 / £8)
(No performances on Sunday or Monday evenings)
7.45 p.m.

Staged in the main Botanic Gardens, Shakespeare's magical comedy comes to joyous life in a new production by Artistic Director, Gordon Barr. Fairies, lovers and the worst troupe of amateur actors ever seen combine in a bewitching tale for a summer's evening. Utilising a small company of actors, a wealth of stage trickery and conjuring, and the natural beauty of the Botanic Gardens, Shakespeare's most popular comedy is given a fresh and innovative outing which explores the play's discovery of the self through magic, wonder and nature.

Othello
Preview: Wed 18th July (£10 / £6)
Thurs 19th July - Sat 4th August (£12 / £8)
(No performances on Monday evenings)
7.45 p.m.

Bard in the Botanics stages Shakespeare's tragic masterpiece for the first time in an ambitious new production by Artistic Director, Gordon Barr. The marriage of Othello and Desdemona is the starting point for an intense tragedy of jealousy and resentment as the villainous Iago sets out to destroy his master. The first performance to utilise the Kibble Palace since its complete refurbishment, Othello promises a truly unique and thrilling experience for audiences.

"B in the Park" Summer School - Twelfth Night
Wed 1st - Sat 4th August (£8 / £5)
7.15 p.m.

Bard in the Botanics 2007 will see the launch of our young people's summer school, "B in the Park". A company of young actors, designers and stage managers, aged 14 to 21, will work alongside a professional director and production team to stage a new performance of Twelfth Night designed to appeal to a younger audience.

For details of how to become a part of "B in the Park", please see our education page.

How to Book Tickets

Tickets for any of the Bard in the Botanics performances can be booked through the Gilmorehill G12 box office. Tickets will be available from 30th April.

In May, the G12 box office will be open for bookings from Monday to Friday 10am-3pm or 10am-8pm on some evenings. In June and for the duration of Bard in the Botanics, the box office will be open for bookings from Monday to Saturday 10am-7 pm

Tickets can be booked in person at Gilmorehill, University Avenue, Glasgow, G12. Alternatively, you can contact the Gilmorehill box office on 0141 330 5522 or e-mail boxoffice@gilmorehillg12.co.uk

For further information on any of the productions, phone our information line on 0141 334 9016

On performance nights, a box office will be open in the Botanic Gardens from 6.30 p.m. (please note that we can only accept cash and cheques at our on-site box office)

We are delighted to welcome Gilmorehill G12 as our box office partner. If you're interested in further performance events in the West End, why not visit their website on www.gilmorehillg12.co.uk

Shakespeare's Playground

Following the success of our New Director's Award in 2006, Bard in the Botanics are looking to hear from artists of all backgrounds (theatre, visual art, dance) who have an idea of how Shakespeare might inspire an original piece of art. The company will help artists to develop their work and offer showcase opportunities to present performances / exhibitions etc. at future Bard in the Botanics Festivals.

For further details of how to become involved with the Shakespeare's Playground scheme, e-mail admin@bardinthebotanics.org

What do I need to bring?

Please note that seating is not provided for A Midsummer Night s Dream or Twelfth Night, although seats may be hired on the night of performance
Scottish weather can be a bit unpredictable so bring appropriate clothing for an outdoor performance and remember that midges can be a real curse of the Scottish summer so why not come prepared!
Why not add to your evening out by bringing along a picnic to enjoy while watching the show? Just please remember to dispose of any rubbish safely.

Location

To get to the gardens –

By bus: The numbers 3, 11, 18, 20, 41, 59, 89 and 90 all stop near the Botanic Gardens at regular intervals. Please check times with your local transportation offices.
By underground : Hillhead Underground is the nearest stop, just a few blocks away on Byres Road
By car : The Botanic Gardens are situated at the corner of Great Western Road and Queen Margaret Drive, at the top of Byres Road. There is no parking in the gardens but unrestricted parking is available nearby.