Some information for your visit…..House Opening Times, the Courtyard Bar, Picnics, Seating and Parking.
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.
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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
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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.
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“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.
| Play | Date | Time | Tickets (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
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RT @JakeeDaniel: Can't wait to be back on this magical site creating @psfestival 2019! https://t.co/Hzx5wqLi7i9 hours 11 min ago
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Put you hands in the Air! PSF2019 Season 17th - 28th July 2019 Announcement Coming Soon..... https://t.co/vkohbLLG5t1 week 3 days ago
Clare Glancy and Lucy Hollis at enquiriespsf@outlook.com
£12 (+booking fee) concession tickets apply to under 18s and students who will need to provide ID on request.