“Judge not the play before the play is done;
Her plot hath many changes; every day
Speaks a new scene; the last act crowns the play.”
Francis Quarles (1592-1644), Epigram: Respice Finem
Macbeth: Sleep No More and Treasure Island at the Edinburgh Fringe
MACBETH: Sleep No More at The Space on the Mile
“All hail Macbeth that shall be King hereafter…”
With these portentous words, the three witches seal the fate not only of the Thane of Glamis himself, but also of all the others whom Macbeth will dispose of on the way to fulfilling their deadly prophecy.
This condensed version of the widely-studied Shakespeare classic retells the old story of the 11th Century Scottish King and examines the physical and psychological damage done by political ambition – both to those who seek power for its own sake, and to those who get in their way…
An electrifying new adaptation of the Bard’s infamous tragedy, the show features a certain amount of original material, but remains true to its source, both in tone and content.
“A sparkling gem of a show with a really innovative take on the physical and mental damage that flows from misplaced political ambition.” Fringe Review
“The climactic fight scene is thrilling! Stand not upon the order of your going but go at once.” The Wee Review
“Absolutely amazing! Would highly recommend to anyone who is a fan of Shakespeare. Very intimate and well thought out production. In what used to be a male dominated area, these four women played the roles amazingly and with so much talent.” Courtney Larkin, Audience
- Running time: 80 minutes
- Date & Times: 2-10 August at 10.35am
- Tickets: £10.50-£12.50
- Location: The Space on the Mile, Edinburgh
Treasure Island at The Space on the Mile
Treasure, treachery, mutiny and mayhem all await young Jim Hawkins as he leaves the Admiral Benbow inn behind and embarks on a thrilling and dangerous voyage to recover Captain Flint’s hidden gold. Pirates, parrots, and plots abound, Jim must risk everything to save his friends lives – if he can…
Shadow Road’s exciting and emotional new adaptation brings Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic to life in a 50-minute masterpiece which includes their usual stirring sword fights and riveting stage violence. A timeless tale of adventure, courage, friendship, and the endless lure of the distant horizon.
- Running time: 50 minutes
- Date & Times: 2-10 August at 16.25am
- Tickets: £9.50-£11.50
- Location: The Space on the Mile, Edinburgh
Treasure Island at The Roman Theatre Open Air Festival, St Albans
JULY & August 2024
- Running time: 65 minutes
- Date & Times: 15th July at 7.30pm
- Tickets: £15.50 – £24.50
- Location: The Roman Theatre of Verulamium, Bluehouse Hill, St Albans, AL3 6AE
Treasure Island at The OSO Arts Centre, Barnes
JULY 2024
Treasure, treachery, mutiny and mayhem all await young Jim Hawkins as he leaves the Admiral Benbow inn behind and embarks on a thrilling and dangerous voyage to recover Captain Flint’s hidden gold. Pirates, parrots, and plots abound, Jim must risk everything to save his friends lives – if he can…
Shadow Road’s exciting and emotional new adaptation brings Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic to life in a 50-minute masterpiece which includes their usual stirring sword fights and riveting stage violence. A timeless tale of adventure, courage, friendship, and the endless lure of the distant horizon.
- Running time: 1hr 30 including Q&A with the cast and creative team
- Date & Times: 10th & 11th July at 7.30pm
- Tickets: £9.50-£11.50
- Location: The OSO Arts Centre, Barnes
Songs, Scenes and Swords
SATURDAY 15th JUNE 2024 AT 7.30PM – 9PM
ST MARY’S CHURCH BARNES SW13 9HL
Join us for a special evening of music, sword fighting, and scenes from Shakespeare and beyond!
As preparations for the Edinburgh Fringe continue, the expenses are mounting – and our fundraising plans are developing accordingly! Indeed, we are delighted to be returning to St Mary’s Barnes with this entertaining evening of music, prose and drama which will help to raise funds for this summer’s visit to Scotland.
With a wide variety of songs from the musicals, and scenes from Shakespeare, Shadow Road’s original work, and elsewhere, there’s something for all tastes. We hope you will laugh and cry, be enthralled and entertained – and unafraid to sing along if the moment calls for it!
Tickets cost £10-15.
Robin Hood's Quest at Morden Hall Park
Wed 29th – Fri 31st May 2024
The evil Sir Guy of Gisborne has the much-loved fugitive and friend of the poor, Robin Hood – once Robin of Loxley, Earl of Huntingdon – in chains at last. It won’t be long until the jealous Gisborne is finally able to put his rival to death and be rid of him forever. Unless, of course, you can work together with some of the Merry Men to save him!
Following on from the successful St George’s Quest in 2023, we are returning with Robin Hood’s Quest in May 2024. This exciting adventure leads its participants – Outlaws – on a thrilling trail through the Rose Garden at Morden Hall Park, where they will interact with several of Robin’s friends, take on challenges, and solve a variety of riddles and puzzles, gathering the equipment necessary to rescue him. Those who are victorious will be awarded a prize and thanked by Robin himself!
Entry times are at 30 minute intervals from 11am – 3.30pm Please book ahead of time to avoid disappointment as the slots sell out.
Robin’s life hangs in the balance – good fortune to you all!
Werewolves of Bridgend
Sat 29th October 2023
An exciting interactive game that anyone who has enjoyed BBC 1’s The Traitors, or the party game Werewolves of Miller’s Hollow, will love, this is the perfect entertainment for all the family!
In the spooky Welsh town of Bridgend, a werewolf population is growing unchecked. Every night they creep out, pick a target and devour them, leaving behind an ever-dwindling band of survivors.
The frightened survivors must come together and discover which of their friends and fellow hotel guests may not be quite what they seem… Will you join them at the Best Western to help identify the werewolves and put a stop to their savagery once and for all?
There’s just one slight problem – anyone could be a werewolf!
Even you…
Which side will you take?
There’s only one way to find out –
Come and play…
Suggested age: 7 – 100+
Themed costumes are highly encouraged!
The evenings entertainment will include dinner.
More details and booking info coming soon. If you would like to be added to the ticket waiting list you can email us at shadowroadproductions@gmx.com
St George's Quest at Morden Hall Park, National Trust
30th, 31st May & 1st June
An adventure trail through Morden Hall Park. Are you brave and clever enough to take on the challenges, riddles and games on this interactive trail to face… the dragon! (Ages 4+, different levels of difficulties available)
A terrible dragon has been terrorising the village of Highcross, taking first their livestock and then their children. Young Sir Henry, the eldest son of local lord, Sir William of Highcross, was the last to die and since then the village has given up hope. On this particular summer’s day, however, it is hoped that a courageous new Challenger will step up and change their fortunes forever…
Are you brave enough to slay the dragon and win a prize? This interactive adventure trail, created by popular local theatre company Shadow Road Productions, takes Challengers on an exciting quest throughout Morden Hall Park’s beautiful Rose Garden, from a small village market place, all the way to the dragon’s lair.
Can you take on the challenges, solve the puzzles, and complete the quest in time? With help from the Blacksmith, the Wise Woman, the Squire, the Fortune Teller, and the Shepherd, can you defeat the dragon before being awarded your prize and knighted by St George himself? Join us and find out!
Please choose your preferred entry time (a new set of Challengers are invited to begin their quest every 30 minutes, although there is no limit to the length of time you may take to complete your quest) and be sure to arrive in the Rose Garden at the appointed hour. Godspeed, and good luck!
Weather
These are open air events and will go ahead, rain or shine. Please dress accordingly!
Macbeth: Sleep No More and Secret Storytellers at the Edinburgh Fringe 2023
MACBETH: Sleep No More at The Space on the Mile
“All hail Macbeth that shall be King hereafter…”
With these portentous words, the three witches seal the fate not only of the Thane of Glamis himself, but also of all the others whom Macbeth will dispose of on the way to fulfilling their deadly prophecy.
This condensed version of the widely-studied Shakespeare classic retells the old story of the 11th Century Scottish King and examines the physical and psychological damage done by political ambition – both to those who seek power for its own sake, and to those who get in their way…
An electrifying new adaptation of the Bard’s infamous tragedy, the show features a certain amount of original material, but remains true to its source, both in tone and content.
“A sparkling gem of a show with a really innovative take on the physical and mental damage that flows from misplaced political ambition.” Fringe Review
“The climactic fight scene is thrilling! Stand not upon the order of your going but go at once.” The Wee Review
“Absolutely amazing! Would highly recommend to anyone who is a fan of Shakespeare. Very intimate and well thought out production. In what used to be a male dominated area, these four women played the roles amazingly and with so much talent.” Courtney Larkin, Audience
- Running time: 80 minutes
- Date & Times: 2-10 August at 10.35am
- Tickets: £10.50-£12.50
- Location: The Space on the Mile, Edinburgh
Secret Storytellers at Edinburgh Fringe
In a not-too-distant, dystopian future, society has collapsed and the Ravens rule. No more books, songs, or stories. No more dreams or imagination. No passing on of any information that has not first been officially Sanctioned by the High Council.
Yet, while the Ravens may believe that history can indeed be both written and erased by the victors, the Magpies are here to prove them wrong. Defying the edict that prohibits storytelling, the Magpies dare to tell tales of hope from the Old World, as they strive to build a better and brighter future in this new one.
Are you brave enough to join them for this first forbidden story – the tale of Persephone, the pomegranate seeds, and the promised return of spring after a long, cold winter? A story of hope and change, which the Ravens would kill to keep you from hearing…
- Running time: 50 minutes
- Date & Times: 4th-12th August at 12.55pm
- Tickets: £8-11.50
- Location: Edinburgh Fringe
“If I could work my will, every idiot who goes about with ‘Merry Christmas’ on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.”
This festive season we are delighted to be bringing our much-praised production of A Christmas Carol back to two of our favourite venues, where it has previously sold out before – the National Trust’s Morden Hall Park, and The Coach & Horses, Barnes.
Ebenezer Scrooge is a mean, miserly loner, destined to spend his afterlife making up for all the mistakes he made on earth – until, that is, a chilling encounter with the spectre of his late business partner, Jacob Marley, sets him on a different path. Can Marley’s ghost – and those of Christmas Past, Present and Future – transform the unfortunate Scrooge in time, or is it already too late to save him? See this charming Fireside Folktales adaptation of the classic Christmas tale by Charles Dickens and find out for yourself…
- Friday 16th & Monday 19th December at 7.30pm – The Coach & Horses, Barnes SW13 9LW
PERFORMANCE DATES: Tues 24th January – Sun 29 January 2023
– with a post-show Q&A on Weds 25th January.
VENUE: St Mary’s Barnes
“All hail Macbeth that shall be King hereafter…”
With these portentous words, the three witches seal the fate of not only the Thane of Glamis himself but also all the others whom Macbeth will dispose of on the way to fulfilling their deadly prophecy.
Following the success of our acclaimed four-person adaptation of the Scottish Play – Macbeth: Sleep No More – Shadow Road brings you an expanded version of this widely-studied Shakespeare classic that retells the old story of the 11th Century Scottish King and examines the physical and psychological damage done by political ambition, both to those who seek power for its own sake and to those who get in their way…
Staged against the ancient stones and atmospheric backdrop provided by the centuries-old church, St Mary’s Barnes, this electrifying new adaptation of Shakespeare’s infamous tragedy features a certain amount of original material, but nevertheless remains true to its source, both in tone and content.
The performance on Wednesday 25th will be followed by a Q&A with members of the cast and creative team, including Adaptor/Director Emma King-Farlow and Fight Director/Macbeth Amy Floyd (past acting and fight credits include Netflix’s The Witcher, Marvel’s Secret Invasion, Disney’s The Culprits and ITV’s The Long Call).
Aesop's Fables & Persephone & the Pomegranate Seeds at The Coach & Horses, Barnes
September 2022
11am & 4pm – Aesop’s Fables
(c.30 minutes)
Three of Aesop’s classic fables – The Ants & The Grasshopper, The Fox & The Stork and The Hare & The Tortoise – have been woven together into this delightful, funny and engaging play for children of all ages.
Harvest time is nearly here and there’s still so much work for the animals to do to make sure they will last through the winter. Can they put their disagreements aside and get the job done in time for the festival?
12.30pm & 2.30pm – Persephone and the Pomegranate Seeds: How the Seasons came to be
(c.45 minutes – contains sword fighting, recommended age 7+)
There are many versions of the classic Greek myth that explains how the seasons came to be – this is ours! Learn how close the goddess Demeter came to destroying the world when her beloved daughter Persephone was stolen away by Hades, the lord of the Underworld – and how Zeus and Hermes searched for a solution that everyone could live with. Were they successful? You’ll have to see the show to find out…
Weather
This is an open air events and will go ahead, rain or shine. Please dress accordingly!
We are currently updating our website – our productions from 2020-2022 will be added soon.
A Fireside Folktales Performance.
“All hail Macbeth that shalt be King hereafter…”
Reviews:
~ Absolutely amazing! Would highly recommend to anyone who is a fan of Shakespeare. Very intimate and well thought out production. In what used to be a male dominated area, these four women played the roles amazingly and with so much talent. Will definitely go to more events in the future!
During 2020 we continued to create and performed socially distant open air theatre.
Aesop’s Fables: The Harvest Festival
~ It really helps in these strange times that we are living now to get some joy and colour in our lives. Very good performance. Thank you for entertaining us.
Persephone & the Pomegranate Seeds
~ Beautifully performed! Beautifully set up. I can’t speak highly enough of what we’ve just seen!
Macbeth
~ What a terrific show! I am still replaying in my mind the subtle shifts that all the characters passed through as undreamt of possibilities turned into dreadful realities. The ghost at the feast scene was hugely powerful as Macbeth finally unravelled. An excellent script by Emma King-Farlow and superb performances from this cast of just four. So good to experience the power of live theatre again. Thank you all for working so hard through such restricted times to find a way bring us this magic.
A Fireside Folktales Performance.
“If I could work my will, every idiot who goes about with ‘Merry Christmas’ on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.”
Reviews:
~ Thank you for a brilliant & professional performance this afternoon. The changes of emotions & clothing with such integrity of acting was quite moving. So pleased to be with you – a gem of an afternoon!
A Tale of Robin Hood: The rescue
~ Gorgeous and brilliant! Loved the dancing and the fighting!
Persephone & the Pomegranate Seeds: How the Seasons came to be
~ Great performance. We really enjoyed the singing, the story and the outside setting
Aesop’s Fables: The Harvest Festival
~ A brilliant show – the stories were ideal for the children to understand. And a perfect length too. Very good. Thank you!
“Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight,
At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more,
When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death,
And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.”
Reviews:
~ Utterly brilliant, spellbinding and wonderful. I have a lump in my throat as I think about it ….
An entertaining evening of music, prose and drama to help raise funds for September’s mixed arts mental health awareness festival UNBROKEN, now in its third year, and October’s production of The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe.
A mixed arts ‘mini-festival’ and short film prize with the aim of increasing awareness of the issues of mental health, reducing the stigma surrounding them by opening up the conversation, and confounding expectations as to what a production about ‘mental health’ might involve!
With King Richard the Lionheart absent, corruption and injustice are rife in England. The country cries out for a champion – and in the heart of the forest, a legend stirs…
Shadow Road Productions were delighted to bring a brand new open-air, promenade production of Robin Hood to the WWT London Wetland Centre, one of the UK’s premiere nature reserves and vital conservation charities!
Reviews:
~ Robin Hood is family entertainment at its best. There’s something for everyone. The four people I went with (two adults and two young children) all thoroughly enjoyed it. I did too. On this evidence, Shadow Road Productions is a company with a very bright future.
A terrible dragon has been terrorising the village of Highcross, taking first their livestock and then their children. Young Sir Henry, the eldest son of local lord, Sir William of Highcross, was the last to die and since then the village has given up hope. This St George’s Day, however, it is hoped that a courageous new challenger will step up and change their fortunes forever…
A immersive adventure throughout the London Wetland Centre
On the 7th November 2015, Shadow Road Productions presented an exciting evening of popular music from a variety of West End shows – including, with Remembrance Sunday the following day, a number of pieces from the classic Oh, What A Lovely War!
Thanks to the huge generosity of our wonderful audience, we raised over £1000!
Taking its title from the work of WWI poet Siegfried Sassoon, Dreams From The Pit follows three soldiers – Razor, Jacko and Sully – as they deploy together to Afghanistan. Life in ‘Afghan’ is tough but for some the return to civilian life is even harder…
Reviews:
~ It was an awe-inspiring evening… A brilliant script with the perfect blend of humour, pathos and meaning. It was very thought-provoking and you hit all the notes exactly. …Will you be able to take it forward? Many more need to see it. – Lieutenant General Sir A.D.S.
Friendly Italian restaurateur Neo Vestri has invited thirty friends and accquaintances – yourself included – to join him at his restaurant Giuliana’s for a three course meal in celebration of his beloved son Cosimo’s 30th Birthday. It should be a fantastic evening.
Unfortunately, someone has murder in mind and Francesco the Chef is the first to die. Can you pick up on the clues and work out who the killer is before they strike again? You’d better hope so…
Reviews:
~ Well done! It was a fabulous evening, such fun and so very well carried off by all the cast… Very professional. It also brought all the diners together, chatting and trying to work out who dunnit which was nice. The food was excellent too. Congratulations to everyone!
Following the success of Warriors: Remembering the Brave, our third Remembrance production was another evening of poetry, prose, music and drama, this time recalling the sacrifice made by members of Britain’s Armed Forces and those whom they leave behind. Once again, this production was staged in aid of the Forces charity Combat Stress, raising a fantastic £1,056 in a single night!
Commissioned for the Barnes Literary Society’s End of Year Entertainment.
A presentation by three estimable Victorian journalists on the exciting events of Her Majesty Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration. Hear the Queen’s own thoughts on the day, see the reaction of the cheering crowds and indulge your tastebuds while you listen to eyewitness reports from the men and women who were lucky enough to be there…
***** “Wonderfully Patriotic and Jubilant Evening” – Remote Goat
On Remembrance Sunday, an evening of poetry, prose, music and drama honouring the bravery and sacrifice of Britain’s fighting men and women over the centuries.
All proceeds donated to Combat Stress: the UK’s leading military charity specialising in the care of Veterans’ mental health.
Reviews:
~ Yesterday evening was profoundly moving for all of us who watched. We thought people who missed it, really missed something very well worth seeing. A big thank you to all of you, and we look forward to the next time
Sorry, Wrong Number is ‘an outstanding study in suspense’, centring on a bed-bound invalid who, alone at night, overhears two men plotting a murder on a crossed telephone line. Will anyone take her seriously? Can she get help before the time runs out….
The Hitch-Hiker introduces us to Ronald Adams, a man who set out to travel from Brooklyn to California and found himself dogged every step of the way by a mysterious hitch-hiker dressed in black. Who is the hitch-hiker, what does he want and how can Ronald escape him? The questions alone have driven Ronald to distraction – what might the answers do to him?
Oswald’s Return is a two-act comedy, written by new playwright Guy van der Westhuizen, which light-heartedly explores some of the conflicts arising between different generations, nationalities and religions.
Set over the course of a single winter’s evening, Cordelia introduces her fiance’s parents, Marty & Ida Baumshnutzweiner, to her own parents, Gerald & Agatha Proudcock, over dinner at their English country home. Cordelia is desperate for the in-laws to get along but, despite her best diplomatic efforts, un-navigable conflicts & personal agendas abound.
On the 9th and 11th of November 2009, Shadow Road Productions staged The Road to Remembrance at the Old Sorting Office by Barnes Pond to raise money for Combat Stress, a charity that supports British veterans suffering from PTSD and other mental and psychological problems as a result of their service in the armed forces.
For two nights only, Shadow Road invited people to join them for an evening of festive poetry, prose, drama and music – the perfect way to start their Christmas celebrations.
From a stable in Bethlehem to the WWI trenches in France, from Elizabethan England to Dickensian London, from Santa Claus to Scrooge and Silent Night – we offered it all and more…
Shadow Road Productions kicked off with two one-act comedies, presented in a double bill from Sun 24th June – Thurs 28th June 2007 at The Old Sorting Office, SW13 OLF.
