Warwick gears up for new spring festival

Warwick Spring, directed by Steward McGill and Mary King of Playbox, will mark both the 450th year since Shakespeare’s birth and Warwick’s 1,100th anniversary, and bring two weeks of wide-ranging performances at venues around the town.

Running from March 17 to 30, the festival will include the international premier of Billy Smart’s Circus - starring Yasmine Smart, granddaughter of the famous circus performer Billy Smart; street theatre at Warwick’s Saturday market; a pocket-sized production of Shakespeare’s Henry V by the internationally-successful all-male Shakespeare company Propeller; and live singing accompanying a three-course meal.

There will also be showcases by the young members of Playbox’s Shakespeare Young Company - including a Renaissance version of Romeo and Juliet performed in St Mary’s church; a performance by classical musicians Stile Antico; and screenings of classic circus films, including Trapeze (1956), The Greatest Show on Earth (1952) and The Magnificent Showman (1964).

Stewart McGill said: “Whether you visit the largest circus touring the UK with its amazing line-up, see Shakespeare, absorb the beauty of early music in the setting of St Mary’s church, encounter street artists or join one or our workshops, we plan a great start to our fantastic town’s 1100 anniversary celebrations.”

Tp see an online brochure for Warwick Spring, visit issuu.com/playboxtheatre/docs/warwick_spring_2014_brochure

To find out more, call 419555 or visit www.playboxtheatre.com