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Thank you for supporting PSF 2018 -our most successful season ever!

News of the exciting PSF2019 Season coming soon...

In July 2018, the Petersfield Shakespeare Festival welcomed almost 1800 people to its enchanting open-air venue amid glorious weather, for both plays and picnics.

The festival presented ambitious interpretations of two plays linked by the theme of Epic battles – Henry V and The Taming of the Shrew. From page to stage the process was completed in just nine days of intense rehearsal and frantic work behind the scenes. The festival opened with a twenty strong cast of largely professional actors recreating the battle of Agincourt in Henry V ; a production full of brilliant movement sequences, stirring battle scenes and magnificent poetry. The setting of a World War 1 field hospital was imaginatively created amid a spiky wooden barricade and the trenches of the Somme. 

Just one week later, and in complete contrast, the scene shifted to the domestic battlefront of man vs. woman, when the same company performed a sparkling new adaptation of The Taming of the Shrew by Laura Turner, commissioned by the festival. Set in a Northern pub locked in the 1980s, wedding day celebrations were plunged into chaos when the planned entertainment took an unexpected turn…. and the mother of the bride found herself in a leading role.  

As the sun set over the South Downs, audiences were mesmerised by the expanse and clarity of Henry V and roared with laughter as they joined in the party at The Shrew’s Tavern:

Here's what you said:

“Such an amazing show tonight – we are hooked!”

“We come each year to both plays, and it just keeps getting better”

“..brilliantly set, brilliantly staged, great fun. I didn’t dare laugh in case I missed hearing anything!”

“As a mad Shakespeare fan I thought it was absolutely terrific.”

“We saw two very different plays on two very different nights, full of energy and fun, with a hugely talented cast, and we enjoyed them both enormously.”

 

Contact us on enquiriespsf@outlook.com with any queries.

Please keep up to date with the latest news via this website, Facebook and Twitter. 

  • Henry V

    ‘And let us... on your imaginary forces work.’

     Let us take you on a cinematic, exhilarating ride as captains and kings, heroes and cowards, lords, ladies and low-lifes switch between palaces, camps and battlefields. 

     A few of Shakespeare’s audience must have been old enough to remember the fumbling loss of Calais in 1558, the last fragment of England’s French empire, and as we now “Cry – God for Harry, England and Saint George!” what can the play tell us today?

     If you liked The Tempest make sure you join us at Agincourt!

    Wednesday 18th – Tuesday 24th July 2018

  • The Taming of the Shrew

    -   It’s Friday night in The Shrew’s Tavern, pay’s in the pocket and the music and beer are flowing   -

    Playwright Laura Turner works with William Shakespeare’s text to breathe new life into The Taming of the Shrew by inviting us to The Shrew’s Tavern where the evening’s exhilarating action is about to begin….which of our protagonists will gain the upper hand?

    Wednesday 25th – Sunday 29th July 2018

    If you liked As You Like It make sure you book a table at The Shrew’s Tavern!

    Join us on the road! On the 29th August 2018 The Taming of the Shrew will tour to Theatre Royal Winchester.

  • “Let Battle Commence” Stage Combat Workshop

    We are delighted to welcome renowned fight director Paul Benzing to the Petersfield Shakespeare Festival. Paul has arranged fights for numerous companies including the Royal National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Old Vic, Chichester Festival Theatre, Glyndebourne and for many West End hit shows. His most recent notable productions include "Warhorse" and "Sweeney Todd" starring Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton. 

    This three hour physical workshop will take place in the performance area and participants will practise a number of unarmed stage fighting techniques. No previous experience is necessary - please wear comfortable clothing.

    Come and learn the tricks of the trade from a master of his art.

PlayDateTimeTickets (booking fee applies)Concessions (booking fee applies) 
Henry V Wed 18 July 7.30pm £15.00 Student/Child Ticket £12 | Family Ticket 2 Adult, 2 Child £45 Book
Henry V Thu 19 July 7.30pm £15.00 Student/Child Ticket £12 | Family Ticket 2 Adult, 2 Child £45 Book
Henry V Fri 20 July 7.30pm £15.00 Student/Child Ticket £12 | Family Ticket 2 Adult, 2 Child £45 Book
Henry V Sat 21 July 2.30pm £15.00 Student/Child Ticket £12 | Family Ticket 2 Adult, 2 Child £45 Book
Henry V Sat 21 July 7.30pm £15.00 Student/Child Ticket £12 | Family Ticket 2 Adult, 2 Child £45 Book
Henry V Sun 22 July 7.30pm £15.00 Student/Child Ticket £12 | Family Ticket 2 Adult, 2 Child £45 Book
Henry V Mon 23 July 7.30pm £15.00 Student/Child Ticket £12 | Family Ticket 2 Adult, 2 Child £45 Book
Henry V Tue 24 July 7.30pm £15.00 Student/Child Ticket £12 | Family Ticket 2 Adult, 2 Child £45 Book
The Taming of the Shrew Wed 25 July 7.30pm £15.00 Student/Child Ticket £12 | Family Ticket 2 Adult, 2 Child £45 Book
The Taming of the Shrew Thu 26 July 7.30pm £15.00 Student/Child Ticket £12 | Family Ticket 2 Adult, 2 Child £45 Book
The Taming of the Shrew Fri 27 July 7.30pm £15.00 Student/Child Ticket £12 | Family Ticket 2 Adult, 2 Child £45 Book
The Taming of the Shrew Sat 28 July 2.30pm £15.00 Student/Child Ticket £12 | Family Ticket 2 Adult, 2 Child £45 Book
The Taming of the Shrew Sat 28 July 7.30pm £15.00 Student/Child Ticket £12 | Family Ticket 2 Adult, 2 Child £45 Book
The Taming of the Shrew Sun 29 July 7.30pm £15.00 Student/Child Ticket £12 | Family Ticket 2 Adult, 2 Child £45 Book
“Let Battle Commence” Stage Combat Workshop Sat 21 July 10.00am £15.00 Over 16 only Book

Venue LocationSite Plan

  • @PSFESTIVAL
    RT @JakeeDaniel: 🤭🤭🤭🤭😮😮😮😮😮🤩🤩🤩🤩 Petersfield Shakespeare Festival 2019 27th February!!!! https://t.co/uRvqF1zMnV
    23 hours 7 min ago
  • @PSFESTIVAL
    https://t.co/rBMobkBEXH
    23 hours 13 min ago
YOUR VISIT
Some information for your visit…..House Opening Times, the Courtyard Bar, Picnics, Seating and Parking.
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Where can I contact the organiser with any questions?
Clare Glancy and Lucy Hollis at enquiriespsf@outlook.com  
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What is a concession ticket?
£12 (+booking fee) concession tickets apply to under 18s and students who will need to provide ID on request.
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Booking terms

The audience is covered during the performance but in the event that the performance cannot be completed for weather or any other reasons, you can exchange your tickets for any performance during this or any future festivals, subject to availability. Refunds are not given for cancellation or abandonment as a result of the weather. In the case of a non-weather related cancellation only the face value of your ticket is refundable.

*Concessions

Under 18s, Students.

Proof of eligibility is required.

Petersfield Shakespeare Festival

Bedales School, Church Road, Steep, Hampshire GU32 2DG
Email: enquiriespsf@outlook.com

© Copyright 2014 The Petersfield Shakespeare Festival