I trained at drama school with dreams of becoming the next Dame Judi Dench. However, life took me in a different direction, and I stepped away from performing. Then I found Canterbury Shakespeare Festival (also known as CSF), a place where everyone gets a chance to shine. CSF offers a welcoming, inclusive, and non-judgmental community theatre experience that isn’t afraid to take risks and push boundaries, all while having a great time. Even with their open access policy, they consistently put on incredible shows. I’m proud of the work we do, and being part of this company brings me joy. Let me tell you more…
The Canterbury Shakespeare Festival, founded by Benjamin Chamberlain in April 2015, was created to bring fun and excitement to Shakespearean theatre. It started with just two productions—A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo and Juliet—where students and locals came together to captivate and entertain audiences. Driven by a deep love for Shakespeare and a commitment to the original vision, the festival has since expanded, now staging five to six plays each summer in various stunning locations across Canterbury.
This year, we’re presenting the War of the Roses trilogy, inspired by Shakespeare’s history plays: Henry VI Parts 1, 2, and 3, along with Richard III, reimagined as Henry VI, Edward IV, and Richard III. Directed by Elliot Huxtable, the cast is composed entirely of amateur performers. The festival also features an annual free performance—this year’s was Faustus, following last year’s Henry V.
Our autumn production of Hamlet was nominated for a NODA regional award, and we were honoured with a Highly Commended recognition. I had the privilege of playing Gertrude. My journey with the company began last summer with The Merry Wives of Windsor. Most of our performances are held in the open air. This year, I’m taking on the roles of Warwick in two plays and the Duchess of York in Richard III.
Please do pop over and have a read of their website, or why not get involved? 😉 https://www.canterburyshakespeare.co.uk
#CantShakeFest
