Aspects of Lancaster by Loveridge Jenny Wilson Sue

Author:Loveridge, Jenny,Wilson, Sue
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Bisac Code 1: HIS000000: HISTORY / General
ISBN: eBook ISBN| 9781783378920
Publisher: Wharncliffe
Published: 2002-03-31T16:00:00+00:00

Figure 4. Ashton Memorial in Williamson Park, Lancaster. Author’s collection

Going back to the theatre side of the Duke’s, plays in the first fifteen years had consisted on in-house productions, small-scale tours, and joint ventures with other theatres. In 1985, however, came a new venture - the Promenades. These started with a production of The Winters Tale, in the Nuffield Theatre at Lancaster University. The success of this prompted various lighthearted discussions as to where a promenade could be mounted outdoors, but the idea was not taken seriously until it was realised that the Ashton Memorial in Williamson Park was being renovated, and would be opened in the summer of 1987. The Dukes approaches the City Council, and discussed the feasibility of putting on a play in the park. It was decided to do a promenade version of A Midsummer Nights Dream. Then came a six-month production headache mobilising a massive team of people to prepare the park for the event. Power, water, drainage, and telephones were non-existent in the park, and these problems had to be overcome, in addition to providing the normal facilities like seating, food, drink, and toilets which audiences expect. There were huge obstacles to be overcome, but the work of the staff, the support of the Council, and the amazing spirit of the actors, technicians, and volunteers turned what could have been a disaster into a huge success.

Over the years, the Duke’s Promenade Season has established itself as one of the highlights of summer in the north west. Each year more people come to watch the magic performances as they unfold in the beauty of Williamson Park (Figure 4). Each year new locations are sought, and new ways to use old locations are found. Thousands of people have been introduced to this unique (copied, but never beaten!) theatrical environment, and have gone away marvelling at the excellence of the spectacle.

It is now thirty years since the Dukes opened, and in that time they have produced over 260 plays, in addition to playing host to numerous tours by other theatre companies, the Litfest, the Maritime Festival, the Folklore Fiesta, cabarets, Startrek evenings, senior citizen talent contests, quiz nights, and the Storytelling Circle.

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