Tempest Marks 20 Years of Community Theatre in Eastbourne

Tempest Marks 20 Years of Community Theatre in Eastbourne

Butterfly Creek Theatre Troupe’s upcoming production of The Tempest marks the group’s 20th consecutive year performing Shakespeare in Eastbourne.

Director Emanuel (Manny) Garcia says the Eastbourne community’s support for the ‘Bard in the Yard’ is a wonderful endorsement of the esteem many still hold for Shakespeare’s plays.

“The Eastbourne community has really gotten behind these productions. It shows to me that Shakespeare can be a lot of fun. While the troupe takes it very seriously – don’t forget this is a training ground for a lot of fresh and exciting talent – we also want to have fun on a personal level.

“We want that to shine through - that’s one of the reasons for holding it under the stars. It’s a beautiful setting and a really charming night out.”

This year’s production brings fresh faces to the Eastbourne stage alongside some of the Troupe’s founding members, including, in the central role of Prospero, the Bard in the Yard’s inaugural host John Marwick. John recalls the summer series’ backyard beginnings.

“Twenty years ago on summer’s evening I remembered that 6 January was twelfth night so my wife Susan and I decided to host a reading of Twelfth Night. We did the same thing the next year for an invited audience in our garden and now here we are.”

This is Manny’s third time directing Shakespeare with the Butterfly Creek Theatre Troupe, following last year’s production of Hamlet and Much Ado About Nothing five years ago.

This year’s Bard in the Yard will feature original music composed by Michael Riddell, a composer, filmmaker and prize-winning guitarist.

Set to the evening sky and originally composed music, this special Bard in the Yard production promises a memorable evening for audiences.

Check out Butterfly Creek Theatre Troupe’s production of The Tempest including cast details at Facebook.com/BCTTNZ

The play runs from 1 – 5 March at 7.30pm at Muritai School courtyard, Muritai Rd, Eastbourne. Tickets $18/$15/$12, available from Rona Gallery or online at www.bctt.org.nz. Performances will be outdoors (or, in the event of a Wellington tempest, in the hall).

ENDS

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