2013 SEASON

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No other touring open-air theatre company has performed so many different Shakespeare titles to so many people, winning so many awards, as Illyria.

As You Like It is Shakespeare's ultimate romantic comedy. Four people each find their perfect soulmates in the Forest of Arden. One pair leap straight into bed, another are instantly struck by each other's beauty, the third torment each other endlessly - while the fourth enjoy a courtship that is so witty and playful that Love itself is stretched to the limit. But pitted against political intrigue, multiple disguises and overwhelming cynicism, can even Love win through in the end...?

With its pearls of wisdom, glittering repartee and gloriously happy ending this is not only one of Shakespeare's most popular plays but also the perfect comedy for a summer's evening. For authenticity the production is performed on a stage based on those used by 16th-century touring companies.

(Running time: 2 hrs 30 mins
including 20 min interval.)

For further information about Illyria's Shakespeare productions click here.

For further information about age suitability click here.

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For 3 consecutive summers Illyria has been the only open-air touring company granted permission to perform Roald Dahl adaptations by the Dahl estate. In 2013 Illyria turns to Dick King-Smith's glorious classic.

Farmer Hogget wins a piglet at the fair - and everyone knows what unfortunate fate awaits piglets on a farm. Adopted by Fly the sheepdog, Babe develops his own methods of herding sheep using politeness instead of barking orders, and even saves the flock from being stolen by sheep rustlers. But Farmer Hogget is a hard man to please. So when Babe is entered for the county sheep dog trials he is going to need Fly's help, all his wits, and as much politeness as he can muster if he is going to get the sheep to co-operate, win the trials, and save his bacon.

Dick King-Smith's heartwarming tale of friendship, courage and determination is vividly brought to life by the same creative team behind Illyria's sensational record-breaking 2012 production of The Twits. It is suitable for all ages 5+.

(Running time: 1 hr 35 mins
including 20 min interval.)

For further information about Illyria's family productions click here.

For further information about age suitability click here.

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In 2011 Illyria raised the bar for the major UK open-air touring theatre companies by becoming the first and only one to add Opera to its regular season.

In the town of Titipu flirting has been made illegal. The penalty is death. Too bad then that the main culprit is the Lord High Executioner Ko-Ko, who wishes to marry his beautiful young ward Yum-Yum, and who has no intention of executing himself. So when Nanki-Pu, a wandering minstrel, decides to end it all because his own love for Yum-Yum is doomed, Ko-Ko has the perfect candidate for execution. Except that Yum-Yum, by tradition, would have to be executed with Nanki-Pu. And Nanki-Pu turns out to be the Mikado's own son. And the Mikado himself is about to arrive on a state visit to Titipu....

This wonderful comic opera, although set in Japan, is very much a parody of British politics, institutions and public life - and although written in the 19th century is surprisingly relevant in the 21st! It gets the complete Illyria treatment, faithfully performed by a reduced cast and accompanied by a Musical Director on keyboard.

(Running time: 2 hrs 15 mins
incouding 20 min interval.)

For further information about Illyria's G&S productions click here.

For further information about age suitability click here.