King Arthur on a quest for audiences from Anglesey Abbey to Woburn
Ancient British legends take to the road this summer as Cambridge Touring Theatre takes a new version of its outdoor production of The Sword in the Stone to some of the country’s most historic parks. Based on the stories of King Arthur and his wise teacher Merlin (as told by T H White and Walt Disney), it includes songs, dances and interactive fun.
For children who want to get even more involved, the company offers 45-minute drama workshops before most performances. Here children aged between five and ten years can explore the story of The Sword in the Stone, take part in their own knightly adventures and meet some of the characters from the play.
Cambridge Touring Theatre has been touring professionally all over Britain since 2000. Each performance features six actors, a musician and a colourful stage which transforms into medieval caravans, carts and courts. The performers are all trained actors with experience in family events; they-play with the original story to bring it to life for children of today. They sing, they dance, they steal sandwiches – they even spray viewers with water!
The company is led by Rosie Humphreys, who moved to Cambridge after working for the English National Opera in London. She has a passionate commitment to introducing theatre to families. “My own love of the theatre began seeing outdoor touring companies playing classic stories in beautiful settings,” she says. “Add a picnic and a rug and there’s no better way to spend a summer day”.
