Past Shows

More information and images coming soon…

2022

  • Much Ado About Nothing

    From the 19th to 24th July 2022, our open-air theatre at Wylds Farm staged a production of Shakespeare’s famous comedy, centering around post-war celebration and love. The narrative followed two contrasting pairs navigating through matchmaking and manipulation, influenced by secret schemes and touched by comedic elements. Key characters Claudio and Benedick found themselves torn between…

2021

  • A Midsummer Night’s Dream

    After a year-long COVID-19 hiatus, a six-member cast treated audiences to a magical remake of Shakespeare’s classic comedy play at Wylds Farm. The play delivered comedic portrayals of a Duke wanting to marry the Queen, a rebellious daughter reluctant to marry, a fairy king and queen quarrelling, magical potions causing chaos, and finally, reconciliation and…

2020

  • Monologues and More

    Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival moved online in 2020. Every day a short film was uploaded, having been performed and recorded by our contributors. Each film featured the winning entries of PSF’s creative writing competition, Shake It Up, which asked for short dynamic monologues  inspired by the characters in Romeo and Juliet. 

2019

  • The Comedy of Errors

    Synopsis: We find ourselves in the busy port of Ephesus, where we encounter some extremely strange behaviour – and perhaps a song or two… ***Egeon, a Merchant of Syracuse, has been caught by the authorities for trespassing on forbidden soil and condemned to death. He explains to the Duke of Ephesus, Solinus, that over twenty years…

  • Hamlet

    Synopsis: Dark shadows hang over Denmark: King Hamlet has died recently, a restless ghost is haunting the castle and foreign powers, such as Fortinbras in Norway, are poised to invade. The young Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, is home from university to mourn his father’s death, and is disgusted by the marriage of his newly widowed…

2018

  • The Taming of the Shrew

    Synopsis: The Shrew’s Tavern is poised for a big night. Landlady Babs is waiting for a wedding party to arrive: her mate Sal’s daughter Megan is getting married to Ben. There’s going to be booze and music, but also tension as Megan’s Dad, Jimmy is invited too. Megan’s drama school mates are driving up from…

  • Henry V

    Synopsis: Shortly after he has become king, Henry V seeks advice from the Church regarding his claim to rule France as well as England. His mind is finally made up to wage war when he receives an insulting “gift” from the Dauphin, reminding Henry of his wild rebellious youth (as Prince Hal). Continue reading The…

2017

  • Shakespeare’s Lost Women

    “Shakespeare’s Lost Women,” a theatrical piece by Greg Mosse and John Gleadall, revives forgotten female characters from Shakespeare’s works through dialogue and music. The play centers around actress Deirdre Compton’s contentious relationship with her mother, who lands prestigious roles while Deirdre portrays the victims, fools, and jesters.

  • As You Like It

    2017’s Petersfield Shakespeare Festival blended the magic of British music festivals with a production of “As You Like It.” The play was set in “Arden-Fest,” and featured original music compositions by David Barton. Jake Smith and Chris Cuming worked to maintain the play’s historical essence while integrating the vibrant modern festival scene.

2016

  • The Tempest

    The Petersfield Shakespeare Festival’s centrepiece production is Shakespeare’s magical play, The Tempest. The performance, set on the island of Bermuda, explores themes of power, betrayal, revenge, reconciliation, and love. The narrative was inspired by Sir Francis Drake’s circumnavigation, the shipwreck stories from Bermuda, and the shift to gender crosscasting. The Tempest portrays the clash of…