Booking opens on 3 May 2021

THE 2021 SEASON

The season will open on 8 June with Shakespeare’s comedy Love’s Labour’s Lost, followed from 15 June by the Olivier award-winning Humble Boy by Charlotte Jones (suitable for ages 15 and over), which premiered at the National Theatre in 2001, and then The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde (until 28 August).

Caroline Stephenson, Chair of SSC Board of Directors, said: ‘Everyone is really excited and looking forward to opening up the theatre again and sharing the incredible experience of live performance. Rutland’s open-air theatre plays a hugely important part in so many people’s summer and I cannot wait to welcome everyone back. We are so lucky to have this theatre on our doorstep.

‘I would like to thank everyone for the incredible support and generosity we received, which has enabled us to survive this crisis. The challenges for theatres across the country are enormous but we are looking ahead with enthusiasm to a summer where we once again perform on our beautiful stage.

‘Whilst we understand that the timeline for opening up theatres remains contingent on the government’s four-stage plan continuing as planned, we are proceeding with optimism and look forward to welcoming you to our theatre this summer…

‘We will be abiding by all the relevant government guidance, which currently means a socially distanced seating plan, maintaining a distance of 2 metres where possible (and otherwise no less than 1 metre) and asking you to wear a face covering. Everyone, including household groups, will be socially distanced in the auditorium, as we cannot change the seating plan each night.’

Marketing Manager David Fensom added: ‘It’s great to be back! What a year it has been, and we cannot thank everyone enough for the incredible work that has taken place to ensure the survival of our beloved theatre. We are all so excited to be back, and everyone is working incredibly hard in the short space of time to make sure everything is perfect for the season opening on 8 June. 

‘It is with great regret that we have decided that we are unable to go ahead with our plans to present Romeo and Juliet as part of our 2021 season. The restrictions still in place mean that it is impossible for us to produce this play, Shakespeare’s most passionate, in the way that we had hoped. However, we are delighted to be presenting the wonderful, multi-award-winning comedy Humble Boy instead and hope that it will entertain audiences and lift spirits high. This is quite a departure for us, as it will be the most modern play the Company has ever performed and will be the first time in the Company’s history that we have presented two non-Shakespeare productions in the same season. 

‘Plans are still being finalised for opening our bar and restaurant, and if anyone has any enquiries, please contact Prykemans Theatre Catering on 01572 813303. We can’t wait to welcome audiences back to Tolethorpe Hall this summer.’

HOW TO BOOK

Box office opens on 3 May 2021.

Call 01780 756133/01780 763203 (Mon–Fri, 10am–2pm)

Book online from 3 May at stamfordshakespeare.co.uk