Open air theatre

This summer’s initiative of staging two open air plays on consecutive weekend evenings at Lytham Hall is all set to be a winner.

For the first time in nine seasons the Hall’s 2018 programme includes Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles on Saturday 18 August, followed on Sunday 19th by Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance, both presented by top open air specialists Illyria.

Tickets for both shows have been selling extremely well, with a special agreement increasing the capacity for Pirates to 540.

Just 12 hours after Illyria’s Hound of the Baskervilles’ cast have taken down the stage and headed for a performance in Nottingham, a separate Illyria Pirates crew of eight will sail into Lytham for an early evening show following a 200 mile drive from

Berkhamsted, north of London.

Julian Wilde, organiser of the open air season at the Hall , expanded this year to five plays, is full of praise for the resilience both of the actors and his volunteer team of helpers.

“It is greatly to the credit of the Illyria casts that they produce such top quality on every occasion throughout their gruelling tours.

In 35 days, at different venues across the length and breadth of the UK, The Baskervilles cast will be giving 33 performances.

Our own volunteers are happy to do a double stint that weekend and they are the ones who give the events their own special friendly atmosphere. I am very appreciative of their enthusiasm and commitment. ”

Tickets and information from Lytham Hall www.lythamhall.org.uk and www.illyria.uk.com