Theatre

GLOUCESTERSHIRE

NEWS

Many Gloucestershire theatres are leaping at the chance to put on live productions this spring, as the latest government guidance allows them to reopen with covid-secure measures on Monday 17 May (see panel, right). Some of those not reopening immediately are continuing with online productions, entertaining their audiences at home. In common with the whole sector, Primary Times hopes that the events listed here are a prelude to a full programme of productions throughout the county’s theatres by the time of our first print edition this year at May Half Term.

THE BARN THEATRE

5 Beeches Rd, Cirencester GL7 1BN. 01285 648 255 (Box Office open 10am-5.30pm, Mon to Sat) boxoffice@barntheatre.org.uk, barntheatre.org.uk, youtube. com/thebarntheatre, Tw: @thebarntheatre, Insta: @thebarntheatrecirencester, facebook.com/ thebarntheatrecirencester ONLINE An Elephant in the Garden Fri 2-Sun 18 Apr, 7.30pm (24-hour access), £13.50 • Alison Reid performs this Michael Morpurgo tale, set in 1945 Dresden, following Lizzie, her mother and an elephant from the zoo as they flee the allied bombing in the final weeks of the Second World War. Staged by Poonamallee Productions. ONLINE Private Peaceful 19 Apr-2 May, 7.30pm (24-hour access), £13.50 • In a production originally scheduled to transfer to the West End last November, Emily Costello, the first woman to play this lead role professionally, brings Michael Morpurgo’s Private Tommo to life with James Demaine as Charlie and other roles.

CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE

Evesham Rd, Cheltenham GL50 4SH www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/events-tickets/ Billionaire Boy Sun 18 Apr, 2pm & 5pm, £52 per car • This drive-in production of the David Walliams bestseller, staged by Car Park Party and Birmingham Stage Company, is clearly a winning formula in the final weeks of lockdown.

EJS

Edward Jenner School

Making Learning Happen

aStrong traditional Maths and English aInvestigative and exploratory Science aConfidence-building through individual programmes aAffordable provision aSmall class sizes, gradual transitions

Registered for children aged 5 to 16 years

Space to learn and play

Full time or part time places to support home schooling To arrange a visit, please contact the school

Please phone or email:

01452 380808 office@edwardjennerschool.org

An Elephant in the Garden, see The Barn EVERYMAN THEATRE

Regent St, Cheltenham GL50 1HQ. 01242 572573, www.everymantheatre.org.uk IKP’s Treasure Island Wed 2 June, 12noon & 4pm, £15 • A “bonkers” adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson classic from the company that brought us ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ and ‘Cinderella: The Pop-Up Panto’.

FENNELLS FARM

Fennells Farm, Lypiatt, Stroud GL6 7NE. giffordscircus.com The Hooley Wed 19 May- Mon 24 May & Thu 16 Sep-Sun 26 Sep, various times from 11am-7.30pm – check the website, £25/£15 (ages 3-14) • Delayed by a year, Giffords Circus’s latest production finally arrives. The performance promises plenty of horses, fairies, music and dancing – as well as the reappearance of circus favourites like Nancy Trotter Landry, Lil Rice and Tweedy The Clown.

SUDELEY CASTLE

Winchcombe GL54 5JD. giffordcircus.com The Hooley Thu 27 May-Mon 31 May, times vary – check the website, • Giffords Circus returns. See Fennells Farm listing above.

THE PANDEMIC: LATEST GUIDANCE

At the time of writing, Gloucestershire was enjoying the new freedoms allowed from 29 March, including the rule of six, with two families allowed to meet outdoors, even in private gardens. All events in this edition of Primary Times assume the government’s roadmap will continue to go to plan.

The next key date on the roadmap is Mon 12 Apr when non-essential shops can open, and pubs and restaurants can open outdoors. Staycations are allowed in self-contained accommodation, while outdoor hospitality venues like zoos and theme parks can open, allowing many attractions in this county to reopen.

On Mon 17 May, groups of up to six or two households can meet indoors, pubs and restuarants can open indoors, while entertainment venues including cinemas, children’s play areas and theatres can open subject to covid-secure guidance.

The government hopes that all restrictions can be lifted by Mon 21 Jun and that life can return to as close to normal as possible.

Please be aware that these dates can change at any time. Check with facebook.com/primarytimesgloucestershire for any changes to the roadmap and contact the venue concerned before travelling to any event.