The Richmond Shakespeare Festival at Agecroft Hall offers the only opportunity in North America to see a Shakespeare play in the courtyard of an authentic Tudor house that stood in England in Shakespeare’s lifetime. Arrive at six o’clock and stroll through the gardens, or bring a picnic dinner to enjoy on the lawn while being serenaded with songs and monologues from the Festival Young Company actors. Then enjoy the seven-thirty performance from Quill Theatre in a comfortable and professional outdoor venue.
Twelfth Night runs Thursdays through Sundays, June 2 through 26. In this captivating comedy, love is an overwhelming force of nature that sweeps audiences away in a flood of longing. Shipwrecked on the shores of Illyria, Viola grieves for her lost twin brother, and disguises herself as a boy to serve the Count Orsino, with whom she falls hopelessly in love. The passionate Countess Olivia also falls in love—with what she thinks is Orsino’s handsome young page. With some of Shakespeare’s most beloved comic characters, including the imperious Malvolio, idiotic Andrew Aguecheek and drunken Sir Toby Belch, life in Illyria is a sublime whirligig of hopes and blunders, disguises and ruses, songs and silliness.
For one night only, July 2, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged), is an irreverent, high-speed roller coaster ride through the Bard’s plays. Join this madcap trio of ambitious prop-laden actors as they weave their wacky way through Shakespeare’s comedies, histories and tragedies in one wild night that will leave you helpless with laughter.
In The Merchant of Venice, Thursdays through Sundays, July 7 through 31, a controversial tragicomedy set in the divided world of Renaissance Italy: the glittering golden privilege of the Christian aristocracy and the powerful underworld of the Jewish ghetto. To court the wealthy heiress Portia, Bassanio asks for a large sum from his devoted friend, Antonio, who must borrow the funds. Shylock, the lender, strikes a deadly deal: if Antonio does not repay the loan, he must forfeit a pound of his own flesh. The insidious venom of prejudice poisons all, and mercy’s love is held hostage to the mighty sway of justice.
Rain Policy for the Richmond Shakespeare Festival
If it’s raining before the show…
…remember, Richmond’s summer weather can change very quickly. Decisions about postponing or cancelling a show due to weather will be made between 7:00 and 7:25 pm, depending on weather forecasts.
If it rains during the show…
…the show will pause, and you will be escorted inside to wait for up to 15 minutes to see if the weather will let up. If we can’t go on, then…
-If we stopped before intermission, you have a choice: 1) full refund at point of purchase OR 2) voucher to return on another night
-If the play is rained out after intermission, you will receive a voucher only. Please note: you must be present to receive a rain voucher.
For tickets and more information, visit Quill Theatre.
