Strolling players

There's something terribly romantic about the touring theatre troupe. A small band of actors supporting each other through thick and thin, singing songs on their way from this town to that. Setting up their theatre wherever there's an audience. Of course this is my idealised dream of a life on the road. The reality is, I'm assured and now through the window of Instagram we can view, more Travelodge and trucks than gypsy caravans and summer evenings catching fish as the sun goes down.

Nevertheless there is something rather special about an outdoors production. We are lucky in Manchester to both play host to such troupes as Heartbreak Productions and also have our own Manchester Open Air Theatre.

Last summer was a particularly fine set of performances. A Druidic Tempest kicked off the season in Didsbury with prosecco and picnics a plenty. And a sneaky Midsummer Nights Dream launched MOAT in Chorlton where bright young things toasted each other with fizz in pint glasses and my pup was made very welcome even if she didn't become the dog belonging to the man in the moon!

I then flew solo at Murder on the Terrace, which is on the menu for this year and well worth a punt. A proper British farce with audience participation. Heartbreak actors mill in character with the audience before the performance and during the interval making everyone feel part of the show. They're not allowed a glass of prosecco whilst on duty by the way. We did offer. 

Finally there was The Importance of Being Earnest. One of my favourites and a picnic with afternoon tea seemed appropriate. Elderflower cordial and delicious seed cake. It had been raining rather heavily leading to the marvellous impromptu line "Your garden is awfully soggy John" as the chaps take a "turn around the garden".

This year Saga and I shall watch the murderous Macbeth and a new version of Importance with MOAT And the ladies shall be drinking prosecco at Northanger Abbey later in the season. 

These theatre companies survive on audience income. And the actors thrive with audience involvement and enthusiasm. Without us, they will fade away and that would be a real loss. Tickets are not expensive, there are often offers or groupons out there, and they do loads of  family productions. So grab a blanket, a picnic (prosecco is optional) and check them out. 

Heartbreak Productions

Manchester Open Air Theatre