Catherine Bennett resumes the weekly look at the performing arts world, with the sad end of Jerusalem, the luck of a cabbie, and French revolt. Do you hear the people sing?
Adam Alcock reviews Nigel Kennedy playing Vivaldi's Four Seasons and his own Four Elements at York Opera House.
Catherine Bennett highlights the trends in the performing arts world today.
Jonathan Cridford reviews 'Ghosts', one of the Freshers' plays for this year.
The play is an open air tour of the UK and Ireland for Chapterhouse Theatre Company, stopping at country houses and castles from June to September, including York's very own Museum Gardens.
Laura Turner, an English Literature student is set to watch her second production for the company visit 31 outdoor sites around the UK.
The play, which Turner describes as "a family show", is about the reign of King Arthur "going from the Sword in the Stone to his romance with Guinevere, with songs, dance and plenty of swordfighting."
Why choose King Arthur? She said:"The legend is one of the most pervasive stories of British history, driven by the age-old theme of society's need to have a kingly figurehead to bring peace to their land."
"When writing, I wanted to bridge this gap, and create a play that got to the heart of what Arthurian legends are about - chivalry, bravery, friendship and love."
In 2007 she wrote Jack and the Beanstalk and Hansel and Gretel which "went down really well." She said the response to the new play has been "so far so good."
She said York students should go to the play because "Living in York, we often forget to appreciate just how lovely the Museum Gardens are, so it's a great opportunity to appreciate them on a midsummer evening under the stars. The play itself is full of romance, sword-fighting, adventure and comedy."
The play has had to be written with the open-air in mind. "Obviously open air theatre poses many problems that would be easily rectifiable in a theatre. Staging has to be far more minimal for purposes of practicality, and special effects are sadly almost non-existent - although Merlin has a couple of pyrotechnic tricks up his sleeve! The issue of staging has been resolved brilliantly by the company, who have made a special 'Round Table' stage. "
She adds: "Issues of open air theatre don't detract at all from the performance, as the great thing about open air theatre is that for much of the time, the natural scenery speaks for itself."
So what should audience members expect?
"A tale of romance, gallantry and chivalric quests, we follow Arthur on his journey to become one of the most legendary kings in English history."
This open-air production looks to be a certified summer treat.
It comes to Museum Gardens on Tuesday 17th June, 7pm. Grounds open 6pm for picnics. Students/Children £8 from York Theatre Royal 01904 623568.
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