Historic Shakespeare festival returns to Tring
Organisers promise “something bold, magical and unmistakably ‘Pendley’”
A great theatrical tradition is being revived this summer with the return of The Pendley Shakespeare Festival.
The event was founded in 1947 by showjumping commentator Dorian Williams and ran until 2019, before it took what the organisers call an “unexpected hiatus”.
Now, in its 71st year, the original team return to “restore amends” with a new production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, promising to take “all the spirit, merriment and mirth of the festival’s rich history, combined with a bold new vision to revive a beloved local cultural summer staple”.
The last play staged at the festival was an acclaimed production of The Merry Wives of Windsor, directed by Douglas Baker.
Baker will be back to direct A Midsummer Night’s Dream from August 12 to 16. He returns along with a host of familiar faces from festivals past, and many new local participants.
The festival will take place at the Dembe Theatre in Tring, formerly the stables and riding hall to the Pendley estate.
Baker, who is also the festival’s artistic director, said: “It is a true honour to be leading the Pendley Shakespeare Festival into a record 71st year.
"We are delighted to be bringing this long-standing, community led institution back to life. Due to circumstances outside of our control the festival will look a little different this year, but there lies the opportunity to forge something bold, magical and unmistakably ‘Pendley.’ I am immensely grateful to all those who have aided us in this endeavour, which allows us to continue to honour the considerable legacy Dorian Williams left the community.”
The festival is also being supported by Pendley veteran David Evans MBE, current owner of The Dembe Theatre, and Liz Raba, ambassador and academy director at the venue and one of the driving forces behind Tring Community Theatre organisation, founded to secure the theatre’s future.
The newly founded Pendley Shakespeare Festival CIC, formed by historic members of the Pendley Shakespeare Festival company, is staging the festival, which is being supported by local authority grants, Tring Arts Trust and the Pendley Manor Hotel.
Visit dembetheatre.org to book.