Pub chain Fuller’s partners with Open Bar Theatre for Shakespeare in the Garden
It doesn’t get much better than sipping a cold pint while watching Prospero wield his dark magic! Well that’s what to expect from pub chain Fuller’s, as it reveals plans to take The Tempest on tour.
Beer gardens will be treated to performances of Shakespeare’s comedy, thanks to a partnership between the brewery and Open Bar Theatre.
The theatre company’s co-founders, Vicky Gaskin and Nicky Diss, were overjoyed at Fuller’s helping them produce “professional shows” despite lockdown.
Speaking to The Stage they said: “With Fuller’s exceptional support, we didn’t need to compromise on the production values.
“That means that despite limited ticket sales due to social distancing, we are in the extraordinary position of still being able to produce full-scale professional shows even under Covid restrictions.
“The guarantee that came with the relationship, in which they’re responsible for the ticket sales and we’re responsible for bringing them the show, means it was risk free for us.”
A Fuller’s spokesperson also told The Stage: “This year has been a bit of a rollercoaster. We really felt the performing arts had been a bit undervalued throughout summer and lockdown.
“We wanted to put in every effort to showcase the amazing work [Open Bar Theatre] does and provide our customers with an amazing experience.”
A dozen Fuller’s pubs in the South East and London have already hosted The Tempest, as part of the chain’s Shakespeare in the Garden programme.
The production makes use of a stripped-back portable set, while the cast and audience practice social distancing.
The next shows are at the Turk’s Head in Twickenham on 24 & 25 September, the Duke of Kent in Ealing on 28 & 29 September and the Alice Lisle in Ringwood on 30 September & 1 October.
The shows run from 7:30-10:00pm and tickets start at £18 per person, sold in groups of two, four or six depending on the venue.
A Christmas tour is also understood to be in the pipeline, with details yet to be announced.
Well done and thank you Fullers!
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