Audience can camp out at production
A Birmingham-based theatre company will be coming to Shropshire later this month to stage a production with a difference.
Stan's Cafe will be using the great outdoors for its production of The Camp on the weekend of July 21-23.
It will be performed on Earl's and Pontesford Hill, Pontesbury near Shrewsbury and the audience has the chance to camp overnight with the cast.
Stan’s Cafe have been commissioned by the National Trust to encourage people from Birmingham and the urban areas of the West Midlands to explore the surrounding countryside, and to see it and respond to it in new and interesting ways.
The theatre company are setting up camp and spending a continuous 48 hours on two iron age sites at Earls Hill, Pontesford where they are inviting members of the public to join them. A limited number of people can sleep out in bivvy bags (no tents) and places can be booked at National Trust.
Dressed, as travellers from a speculative time in the future the company of four actors will be living a minimal life on the hill without modern technology and using recycled resources. Depending when they arrive visitors may be invited to share food or drink in the camp, find firewood, hold one of the camp’s spectacular signalling flags, join in made up games to pass the time or simply to sit and talk.
The travellers are curious about the lives and world of their visitors and are full of questions. In return they are happy to share stories of their mysterious lost world. All the time the true star of the show is all around; the views, the sun and moon, clouds, rocks, trees, fresh air and grass under foot.
James Yarker artistic director of Stan’s Cafe said: “This commission asked artists to find ways of encouraging visitors to engage in this spectacular landscape and The Camp is our response. It is an excuse to come and spend some time in an amazing place and to reflect on the lives we currently lead”.
Part of the performance will take place at the top of a hill that can only be accessed by a steep muddy footpath. Sensible footwear and warm clothing are advisable.
Those wishing to take part should park at The Mary Webb School & Science College.
