VENUES AND DATES:
PREVIEWS Higham Hill Park, 06 - 08 June
Hoxton Community Gardens, 12 – 13 June
Highams Park, 14 – 15 June
Lloyd Park, Walthamstow, 19 - 22 June
Central Park, Newham, 26 - 27 June
Alexandra Palace, Haringey, 28 June
Riverside East, Stratford, 29 June
Springfield Park, Clapton, 04 July
Wanstead Park, Redbridge 05 - 06 July
Crystal Palace Park, 12 – 13 July
Clissold Park, Hackney, 17 - 20 July
Lauderdale House, Highgate, 23 - 24 July
Valentines Park, Ilford, 25 July
Royal Observatory, Greenwich, 26 - 27 July
Charterhouse Square, Barbican 31 July
Langthorne Amphitheatre, Leytonstone, 01 August
Leyton Jubilee Park, 02 August
Big Penny Social, Walthamstow, 03 August
Gunnersbury Park, Acton, 26 - 28 August
The East London Shakespeare Festival (ELSF) merges the contemporary culture of East London with the inspirational storytelling of Shakespeare’s plays in outdoor parks and community spaces across East London.
ELSF launched in 2021 with a magical, riotous, sold-out production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, receiving an Off West End Award Nomination for Best Company, an 80's inspired Twelfth Night in 2022 and another Off West End Award Nomination for Best Company Ensemble for Romeo & Juliet in 2023.
AS YOU LIKE IT - Summer 2025 Tour
This joyful, family-friendly outdoor production blends contemporary London culture with the Bard’s wit, romance, and secret identities. Follow Rosalind, Orlando, and a vibrant cast of characters as they navigate love and self-discovery in a Forest of Arden reimagined as a lively festival of music, cabaret, and revelry. With ELSF’s signature high-energy numbers, slapstick comedy, and audience participation, this is Shakespeare for everyone! Alongside a community engagement programme with lots of opportunities to get involved.
FAMILY FRIENDLY!
This is not traditional outdoor Shakespeare – it is performed in non-theatrical community spaces, with community at its heart, seeking inspiration from the diverse cultures of East London.
ELSF aims to bring communities together in a joyful way, in beautiful outdoor settings. With lots of participatory opportunities for local communities to get involved in.
A festival vibe will be encouraged with gates opening an hour before the show, so bring a picnic and why not sign up for a mask-making workshop run one of our in-house-party-goers (actors) - make your own mask and be part of the masked ball!
The production will feature a community ensemble of local residents at our Waltham Forest & Newham venues.
There are Pay-What-You-Can performances & heavily reduced school matinees for local Waltham Forest & Newham Schools with a 20-minute pre-show workshop.
Parental Guidance - the play features kissing.
The show is directed by Rosie Ward.
The producers - and co-directors of the East London Shakespeare Festival – are: Ursula Early & Rosie Ward
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BYO Picnics welcome: gates open an hour before the show, so bring a picnic, soak up the atmosphere
For younger members of the audience (3+), you can also take part in a pre-show craft workshops run by cast members. This is at a small additional charge to show tickets so please add a separate workshop ticket when booking,
This is outdoor Shakespeare with a twist: combining the wonderful storytelling of the Bard with a flavour of East London culture. Pure, unadulterated escapism, with live music, showstopper numbers in lovely outdoor settings.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Evening Performances 7:30PM*
Matinee Performances: 3PM
(Check timings, some early performances 7pm)
Audiences are welcome to arrive 60 minutes beforehand to enjoy a picnic and soak up the atmosphere
Seating:
We have limited seating available: these will be reserved for those that require them (e.g. senior citizens / those with a disability) and/or on a first come first served basis. Please email us to indicate you will need a chair/s and we will reserve one for you (while still available).
Email: info@elsf.uk
For other audiences it is 'Bring Your Own Seating' - you are welcome to bring picnic blankets/cushions (to sit on the floor) or outdoor seating/camping chairs.
Concessions include: Under 16s, Unemployed, Students with an NUS card • People with a disability, full-time students, senior citizens, people with registered disabilities, and Unison Members. ‘Theatre Union’ concessions include Equity, BECTU, Stage Management Association, SDUK & Writers Guild. All concessions are subject to availability and you may be asked for proof.
Family Ticket for: 2 adults + 2 under 16s (babes in arms go free) OR 1 adult + 3 under 16s
All Weather Policy
We will not cancel a show due to rain!
As we know with the Great British summer, the 'rain can raineth every day' but whether it's tempests, or summers honey breath is on our side, the show must go on!
Be sure to bring a brolly and some cosy, waterproof clothes... or some suncream if you're feeling lucky!
If it rains but the show runs, we cannot offer refunds, however you can use your ticket on another day (subject to availability).
If it really is King Lear style storms, we will cancel the show. Patrons will be notified as soon as possible and a full refund/exchange issued.
DOGS
I'm afraid dogs are not permitted at performances.
Covid-19 Guidelines
- ELSF will follow and update Covid-19 Procedures as per government guidance.
East London Shakespeare Festival has completed a Risk Assessment to reduce the risk of transmission of Covid-19. This is available on request.
All employees & audiences must adhere to current government guidelines relating to Covid-19, and follow any other guidance provided by East London Shakespeare Festival or the venue.
· Employees & audience members with symptoms of COVID-19, or who have been advised to self-isolate following contact with someone with symptoms of COVID-19, should not to attend.
Managing Risk
· All our performance venues are outdoors
· Hand sanitiser available
· Pre-book online only (Paperless, and allowing for track & trace)
· Local venues with patrons & performers encouraged to walk/cycle and avoid public transport
· All Performers, Creative Team & volunteers required to take regular Rapid Flow Tests during rehearsals & performance period
© East London Shakespeare Company Ltd, Registered in England, Company No 064-961760
East London based theatre company