One of the particular features of Circle 67 - confirming the general reputation of actors as strolling vagabonds! - is the Summer pub-gardens' tour of 'Shorter Shakespeare' plays. These productions always have an element of magic, with costumes, summer nights in the open air, and the Bard's incomparable words.
The initial idea came from the production of 'Maria Martin, or the Murder in the Red Barn' in summer 1983, performed in Wenhaston and Cratfield on the back of a cart. Thinking about a continuation of this type of production led to the idea of "about half-an-hour of Shakespeare in a pub garden - about the length of a leisurely pint." The length now ranges from 45 to 75 minutes, but the principle remains the same.
Venues have varied over the years but among the most recent regulars are 'The Queen's Head' at Bramfield, 'The Ship' at Dunwich, 'The King's Head' at Laxfield, 'The White Horse' at Sibton. In 1986 we went for the first time to Bungay Castle and since then a performance there during Bungay's annual festival in July has been at the centre of the 'Shorter Shakespeare' tour week.
We don't charge admission - the actors go round with a hat after the performance.
