In Celebration of Shakespeare

Jun 2012 at Leighton Buzzard Theatre

(Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Dream On and A Midsummer Night's Dream)

"Murder, Mystery and Merriment" -- Leighton Buzzard Children’s Theatre, Minis, Youth Sections, and Advance Theatre Company.

A Shakespeare festival came to Leighton Buzzard featuring over 120 young people aged 5-30 over 6 performances.


Leighton Buzzard Children’s Theatre members are celebrating raising £1600 for Macmillan Cancer Support as a result of their Shakespeare 2012 festival. !30 performers aged 5-25 took to the stage over two days in performances of Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Midsummer Night’s Dream and Dream On-a musical adaption for the younger casts. Director Sally Allsopp who has led the group over 16 years said “The Leighton Buzzard Shakespeare 2012 Festival was fantastic- the audiences were brilliant and the young performers were amazing.”


Review by Josie Farmer:

The Leighton Buzzard Mini theatre children aged 5-9 performed “Dream On” alongside the Children’s Theatre members aged 9-13. “Dream on” was wonderful- seeing such young children access Shakespeare and have such fun with it was brilliant. There were so many stars from the young lovers, the mechanicals and the fairies. Special mention to Eleanor Moyle and Jacob Towson who were outstanding.

The Youth Sections performed Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth - there were again outstanding performances. The settings were simple but very effective and costumes enhanced the productions. A sound track underscored both productions which gave them a haunting quality. Special mentions to Ishana Meadows as Lady Macbeth and Andrew Fell as Macbeth. Suzanne Taylor as Lady Capulet was superb as was young Lauren Culley as Juliet. The two day festival ended each night with a production by LBCT’s oldest group The Advance Theatre Company. The adaption of A Midsummer Night’s Dream was faultless with perfect production elements, acting and such fun. The company played multiple roles with Kieran Faulkner giving a hilarious portrayal as Bottom the weaver. The fairies were beautifully led by Oberon, Puck and Titania - some beautiful singing of Shakespeare's words too. The mechanicals were quite simply hilarious - the wall, lion, and moonshine supported the tale of Pyramus and Thisbe perfectly. The Advance Theatre Company showed professionalism well beyond their years. It was a fantastic event - seeing the local audiences enjoying the festival and the energy and commitment of the performers.

LBCT is a community group run by volunteers with amazing experience and commitment. To give so much to the young people and to raise such a great amount for charity is excellent-well done to everyone involved.