Photo credit: Actor’s Church (Photo courtesy of Iris Theatre)

Iris Theatre 2021 summer festival of work confirmed at Actor’s Church

The Iris Theatre will begin their next season from June.

Sophie Thomas
Sophie Thomas

This year's full programme of work as part of the Iris Theatre's summer festival has been confirmed. A world premiere production will headline the festival in August, preceded by five new works, beginning at the Actors Church from 21 June.

Speaking on behalf of the Iris Theatre, Paul-Ryan Carberry and Charlotte Lund said: "Make no bones about it, this festival is an unabashed celebration of theatre, a championing of early-career artists and of their exceptional work. Iris has long been renowned for innovative, bold and site-specific outdoor work and we can't wait to welcome audiences back to our garden once again this summer."

Highlights of the season include Reuben Johnson's Arthur/Merlin, inspired by the legend of King Arthur. When Arthur happens upon an epic Forest, his adventure with a word-wielding wizard begins immediately, with the pair needing to complete their quest. Arthur/Merlin runs from 4 - 22 August., starring Michael Elcock, Kate Donnachie, Lloyd Gorman and Gina Jamieson. 

The festival includes five pieces from artists and companies in their founding years. Productions include:

Flux Theatre with Danielle Pearson's Queen Mab in a co-production with Arsalan Sattari Productions from 21 - 26 June, starring Erica Flint and Jo Patmore.
Tom Ryalls presents Can You See Into A Black Hole? from 28 June - 3 July, starring Daniel Fitzsimmons.
FAIR PLAY. present Shoes to Fill by Tanya Bridgeman from 5 - 10 July, starring Tanya Bridgeman.
Zoe Woodruff and Kathryn Tindall present their new musical The Red Side of The Moon from 12 - 17 July, starring Elinor Peregrin and Kathryn Tindall.
Tiny T's Storytelling & Theatre present Spectacular! from 24 - 28 July, starring Jemma Carlisle, Emily Cass, Bethany Filler and Tara Harris.

In addition to the season, Iris Theatre will present work-in-progress shows, as well as Shakespeare Sunday's to honour William Shakespeare. Shakespeare Sunday shows include Victoria Gartner's Bard in the Yard on 4 and 18 July, starring Alix Dunmore ,Luke Farrugia, Honey Gabriel and Will Harrison Wallace. On 1 August, audiences can see Mark Hayward's This Noisy Isle, directed by Ross Drury. 

Photo credit: Actor's Church (Photo courtesy of Iris Theatre)

Article Updated: 23 April 2021

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