A midwinter night’s dream

Despite being on the road for over 35 years, producing 60 plays in six continents, Footsbarn Travelling Theatre had not performed in the UK for more than 20 years. This wasn’t an intentional slight to their homeland, as British-born Artistic Director, Paddy Hayter, and Producer, Tim Pearce, will testify, but UK touring wasn’t a priority. Last year they came home, with a short UK tour of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ in a Big Top tent.

Of course, Footsbarn wanted a London season, and we swiftly realised that a good working relationship with a local authority was the key. We contacted various London councils to enquire about pitching the tent, with results ranging from initial enthusiasm (and a £10,000 rental charge) to outright disdain. One municipal officer told me there was no chance we could do a pre-Christmas run because they were “resting the park”. I am convinced that this wouldn’t happen in Europe. Someone mentioned Victoria Park in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets (LBTH). Senior Arts and Events Manager Nick Green was more than enthusiastic. Green requisitioned funding from the Cultural Olympiad Fund, since LBTH is an Olympic Borough. It is one of the most deprived areas in the UK and nearly 60% of its population is from non-white ethnicities. The council has a lot of priorities which out-rank Shakespeare in the park. We had to justify the investment, ensuring access and value for money for their residents.
But the cost was not huge. LBTH contributed the site and set-up costs, including electricity, water supply, security and fencing. The west of the park was cheaper, as it had an existing generator and maintained power and water access, but Green and his boss, Steve Murray, chose the prettier north site. Festival and Events Officer, Alison Denning, threw herself into marketing. We weren’t just another event in the park – everyone took a real interest and worked towards the best experience for the audience and the company.
Locals were offered £10 tickets for the opening weekend, available in advance and on the door. This was so successful that we extended the offer, resulting in over 50% of the tickets being sold on the door. One man brought eight kids – his and his friends’ – for their first theatre outing, while every night young mothers led youngsters into the tent as if it were Santa’s Grotto. We even had one chap ask if he could help us to set up in exchange for some tickets, as he’d recently lost his job. LBTH also paid for an extra schools’ matinee. Any nerves the actors had about performing to 400 primary school children, many of whom were non-English speakers, were unfounded. It might have been a cold, wet midwinter, but the Council and its residents embarked on a lasting friendship with Footsbarn Theatre. We’re hoping to go back every other summer – including 2012 – when the sun, of course, will shine.