Without going over old ground too deeply - how's that for mixing ya metaphors? - last year was our tenth anniversary and, because of prevailing circumstances, we weren't able to do what we wanted to do by way of celebration. We managed the play at the castle, thanks to the help of some very generous donations from various people, but, unfortunately, that was that.
This year, however, is a completely different story. We're going to have all sorts of other things happening in town...and the first of those events will be in the Old Market Square on Thursday 8th August.
The Town Council have very generously waived any fees and we will be there from about 10.30 am and, believe you me, there will be some fun to be had.
Music, with our lovely friends from Mock Hobbyhorse and also some Elizabethan children's games. Interspersed with that will be some of the actors in this year's production - and the director'll be sticking his oar in as well - reading some of Shakespeare's best-loved sonnets. Lynne has persuaded some of the youngsters from her school to come over the water and perform something...it's still in the production stage, so it will be a nice surprise...and, to cap it all, there will be jugglers, fire-eaters, stilt-walkers and general circus-ness care of a group of young performers from a circus school in Plymouth! All very much in the style of Elizabethan England. Promises to be a whole lot of fun.
Then, on top of all that, on Saturday 10th August in Royal Avenue Gardens, also from about 10.30am, the good yeomen and wives of Dartmouth will be granted the opportunity to be in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the First.
Her Majesty will process from The Royal Castle Hotel and find her place in the bandstand in the Gardens, where she will hold court. The members of the
Renaissance Historical Dance Society
will entertain Her Majesty with demonstrations of courtly dancing, at various points during the day, whilst also giving the citizens of Dartmouth a chance to ask questions and explore life in Elizabethan England.
There will be entertainment from the
Harberton Navy Morris Dancers and also there to entertain Her Majesty will be Elfic the Jester.
Everyone will have the chance to dance and make merry...might even read a sonnet or two as well. And the games will be there for the kids along with Lynne and some of her young people.
Our lovely Lucy managed to snag the RHDS for us...and along with everything else, this year's Dartmouth Shakespeare Week promises to be a whole lot more widespread than ever it has been before. And we hope to make this a regular feature from here on in.
This is what we have always hoped DSW would become. It's taken slightly longer than envisaged, but we're finally getting there. So, if you're fee and you fancy getting all togged up in Elizabethan gear and walking amongst the throng, please get in touch...we'd love to see you.
I'm kinda hoping that a couple of the actors from King Lear might feel able to pop over and chat to the multitudes, tell 'em all about us and DSW and what we do and how we do it.
I know it's a big ask, considering you're up at the castle later, playing yer little socks off, but it would be lovely to see you there!!
My huge thanks to everyone who has helped organise this extravaganza...not least all the performers.
We hope to be able to use this opportunity to raise a little cash for the charities and good causes that we always support at the end of every Dartmouth Shakespeare Week...who knows? We could be the new Fringe.
Gives you a warm glow, doesn't it?
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