The Oxford Shakespeare Festival will return to Oxford Castle & Prison this summer for the fourth consecutive year.
Running for eight weeks from June to August, the open-air theatre festival will showcase some of Oxford’s most talented theatre companies.
Four of the Bard’s best loved productions will be brought to life against the dramatic backdrop of the historic castle walls and Saxon tower.
Oxford Shakespeare Festival line-up
A single company of actors will present two condensed hour-long Shakespeare plays. Othello and Much Ado About Nothing both explore the troubling details of love, and how jealousy and envy can be both overcome and how they can lead to joy or disaster. These two shows will be staged between 18th and 30th June.
Running from 2nd July until Saturday 28th July will be A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Young lovers escape to a forest to marry in secret. The King and Queen of the fairies, helped by their fairy servants, play tricks on them with hilarious results. This comedy includes farce with music, song, dance and unique costumes.
Siege Theatre’s Romeo & Juliet will be staged from 30th July to 11th August and tells the story of young loves’ impetuous reaction to parental control – yet crack the surface and you’ll find a deep, dark and menacing world to challenge any of the bard’s great tragedies.
Group booking information
Discounted rates are available for groups of ten or more. Picnic packs can be pre-ordered, allowing guests to add an alfresco dining experience to their evening of open air theatre. Standard, premium and ‘Sparkling’ picnic packs are also available to order when booking tickets.
Groups can also call a dedicated bookings line on 01904-261262.
In addition to the festival, the attraction offers regular 40-minute guided tours which explain the origins of Oxford and the role the castle played in the city’s rich history.
Visitors can explore the Saxon stone-built St. George’s Tower, the atmospheric crypt, the preserved Georgian prison wing and the ancient man-made mound offering breath-taking views over Oxford’s dreaming spires.
For more information, visit www.oxfordcastleunlocked.co.uk.
