The Dukes' Summer production in Williamson Park is Don Quixote by Migel de Cervantes, dramatised by Les Smith
13th July 2000 to 19th August 2000
This year, The Dukes' Williamson Park production will have the audience wandering through the Spanish countryside following the adventures and misadventures of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. Marvel at this irrepressible paid and the faithful horse Rocinante, as they set out to right the wrongs of Spain: to defeat magicians, to rescue maidens, to earn the love of the beautiful lady Dulcinea and for Sancho the get an island to rule!
Published in 1605, Don Quixote was an immediate best-seller and has achieved mythical status. Painted by Picasso and Daumier, memorably portrayed on film by Peter O'Toole, Don Quixote is an archetypal figure in western literature, art and popular culture. The challenges of turning his episodic, fantastic story into live theatre have deterred many, but make it ideal for the Dukes' annual outdoor promenade performances. The production will lead the audience through the beautiful Williamson Park via the inns and roads of La Mancha, to visionary castles and islands, as the Lakeland hills pose as the Spanish Sierras. Witness the effects of Don Quixote's vivid imagination as he attempts to enchant, to jest, to engage in single combat and generally strive for impossible absurdities!
Don Quixote will be the first open-air production for Dukes Artistic Director, Ian Hastings. Ian is looking forward to the unique possibilities of directing an open-air production. Ian has directed a variety of plays as Associate Director at Bristol Old Vic and at The Royal Exchange and has received critical and public acclaim for his high quality productions.
Las Smith is dramatising Don Quixote. Faithful to the spirit of the original, free-ranging story, his specially-commissioned adaptation aims to capture the humor, charm and absurdity but also the idealism which have inspired cervantes' readers through the ages/ Las has had twenty-eight plays produced on stage, radio and television. His work has been produced by a large number of regional theatres including Bristol Old vic, Nottingham Playhouse, Sheffield Crucible and Bolton Octagon. Les is based in Lancashire.
Don Quixote is generously sponsored by Gleeson Homes, and runs from the 13th July through to 19th August 2000. To book please call the Box Office.
Ends. 14.02.00