Theatre company Oddsocks Productions is excited to be revisiting “Romeo and Juliet” this summer as it brings this classic to the beautiful grounds of Kinnersley Castle once again! The award-winning professional touring company is renowned for creating entertaining and accessible interpretations of Shakespeare and other classic works focussing on comedy, audience interaction and stand out action moments. 

 

“We are known for presenting Shakespeare’s plays in unique ways which our regular audiences look forward to, and we always look forward to introducing newcomers to our work too.” says Creative Producer Elli Mackenzie. “There is often a perception that Shakespeare is hard to understand and therefore boring, but people come along to see an Oddsocks performance and walk away having shouted at the baddies, cheered for the goodies and having laughed out loud. Our audiences come back year after year to see what we manage to do with each production as they know they are in for a treat”. 

 

Oddsocks has performed “Romeo and Juliet” many times over the last thirty-seven years of touring and each time they have found a new, innovative and relevant way to portray it. It is arguably Shakespeare’s most well-known play and there is good reason that; “It is a relatable story about young love in adversity.” says Artistic Director Andy Barrow. “We don’t meddle with the original text because it has a rhythm and language which is as relevant and poetic to audiences today as it was when it was first performed four hundred and thirty years ago. What we will be bringing to the production is a fun, fast paced ‘warts and all” interpretation as five actors bring the story to life with humour, ingenuity and action.”

 

Another unique feature of the company’s work which sets it apart from other companies touring the country this year is the on-stage appearances of its directors and founder members Andy Barrow and Elli Mackenzie. The husband-and-wife team met at drama school in the nineteen eighties and formed Oddsocks using an investment of £90 in a brochure promoting their productions to councils and arts festivals across London and the southeast. Thirty-seven years on the company is still going strong and has garnered a large and loyal fanbase from across the length and breadth of the country. Andy will be playing Juliet’s controlling father Capulet and her troublesome cousin Tybalt, which will be interesting given that these characters have an argument scene with each other… whilst Elli joins him as Juliet’s Nurse and Romeo’s mother Lady Montague.

 

Joining Andy and Elli in their first outing with the company are Jim Burrows playing Mercutio and Friar Lawrence, Tom McMillan playing Romeo and Prince and Madeleine Grace playing Juliet.

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AUDIENCE FEEDBACK

“Kept the whole family captivated”

 

“Extremely funny from start to finish. A grand evening out!”

 

“Shakespeare how I imagine Shakespeare would have wished it to be.” 

 

“Raucous, hilarious, interactive - simply wonderful.” 

 

“I laughed till tears ran down my cheeks!”

 

“Absolutely brilliant! Oddsocks never disappoint - keep getting better and better!”

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“Brilliant Performance of Midsummer Night’s Dream had us all in stitches!”

 

“Great evening of entertainment! I am sure that Will Shakespeare would have loved to have been there!”