Opening night of The Tempest in Salisbury's Churchill Gardens
It's the flagship event of this year's International Arts Festival
Last updated 25th May 2023
Salisbury's Churchill Gardens hosts the opening night of the 2023 Salisbury International Arts Festival tonight (Wednesday 24th May).
Wiltshire Creative are putting on a production of Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' and an open air set has been created in Churchill Gardens, including a huge wooden pirate ship!
Rosie Townsend from Wiltshire Creative says they are keeping everything crossed that rain stays away from the open-air production:
“This is the centrepiece of the 2023 International Arts Festival in Salisbury, and we're delighted to be bringing an open-air production at The Tempest, reimagining Shakespeare's fabulous tale stretched across different locations with fabulous sets with a huge cast.”
The cast features 10 actor-musicians alongside a community cast of 65 and a young cast, also of 65.
With community groups and school children involved in the creation of the set and decorations, Rosie says they're hoping people see themselves "reflected" in the production.
Guests just need to take a camping chair ready for the play to begin!
Community and Sustainability
Rosie said Wiltshire Creative wanted to find a location in the heart of the city, and Churchill Gardens fit the bill.
“We were keen to bring communities together in the city after the devastating effects of COVID and the pandemic of the last few years, Churchill Gardens felt like the perfect place because of its rich history in the city,” explained Rosie, who added that the sets and stages were being built around other activities in the park, such as Park Run.
The production of The Tempest is being made as sustainable as possible, with 70% of the costumes and sets being made from recyclable materials.
“We've been collecting lots of rubbish and reusing lots of different materials, working with groups like Elizabeth House and our Friday under-fives group,” said Rosie, she added: “It has been a real community project.”
The production runs until Sunday 4th June.
