See Shakespeare’s iconic Macbeth outdoors across Merseyside this summer

The HandleBards bring their chaotic, high-energy take on Shakespeare’s tragedy to outdoor venues across Merseyside this summer.

The HandleBards began with a sense of adventure, a love of Shakespeare and a nifty little pun. Since four fearless friends pedalled Twelfth Night to twenty UK venues in 2013, thirteen years of epic outdoor tours commenced. Performing in ancient castles, beautiful gardens, stately homes and community spaces spanning the UK and abroad.

Our sustainable ethos and commitment to environmentally friendly touring have been described by The Stage as “a shining light in modern theatre touring”. Over the years, the company has grown to become an internationally renowned theatre company, bringing a charmingly chaotic brand of Shakespeare to audiences all over the globe.

After a successful international tour, Macbeth has been reworked as a riotous three-hander and will be doing a petrol-free tour of the UK in an electric van. Join the troupe at the Shakespeare North Playhouse for a hilariously high-octane production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth as you’ve never seen before. Forget the tears and tragedy, our Macbeth is chock full of mishaps, mayhem and mirth.

We all know the story. Three Witches promise Macbeth the Scottish crown, and like any normal person would, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth plot to kill the king. Things get rapidly out of hand from there as foul deeds are done, plots unravel, and mysterious spirits appear…

Join the troupe at the Shakespeare North Playhouse for a fantastically funny bicycle-powered production of Shakespeare’s As You Like It.

Pedalling from venue to venue with all of their set, props and costumes on the back of their bikes, this summer, the troupe are making HandleBards history by embarking on their longest cycle EVER, pedalling 1,800 miles, including 85,000km of hill climbing!

So, what is As You Like It about? Well, Rosalind and her cousin Celia flee to the Forest of Arden, where they bump into Rosalind’s love interest, Orlando. However, Rosalind is disguised as a young man. Add some local shepherds, and the stage is set for a wild ride of wooing, mistaken identity and the odd wrestling match.

Making this show accessible and welcoming to all audiences is a huge priority for The HandleBards team. This year, we have had the pleasure of working with Extant, a theatre company that makes work with visually impaired artists and for visually impaired audiences. With their assistance the show integrates audio description and accessible gags and jokes for visually impaired audiences, without us having to carry audio description tech or change the Shakespearean language. As well as creating a bespoke Touch Tour, which will be available on designated tour dates.