Review: Oddsocks’ Much Ado About Nothing draws the picnicking crowds

Lauren Crisp is a book editor, writer and keen follower of arts and culture. Born and raised in Harrogate, Lauren recently moved back to North Yorkshire after a stint in London, where she regularly reviewed theatre – everything from big West End shows to small fringe productions. She is now eager to explore the culture on offer in and around her home town.  You can contact Lauren on laurencrispwriter@gmail.com 

 

From the moment I arrived at Harlow Carr on Tuesday evening, it was apparent that this was no ordinary event. I watched as theatregoers young and old descended in their droves, weighed down with picnic hampers, wrestling with folding tables and chairs and wearing enough layers to make you question whether they were planning on camping overnight. I wondered if I had accidentally happened upon Harrogate’s very own Glasto.

But these people knew something I didn’t: that the Oddsocks’ summer do is the place to be. The touring company has been around for years – 34, in fact – and for around 20 of those, has stopped off in Harrogate. Relaxing into my (rented) deck chair in the gardens, in full and beautiful bloom, I marvelled as, all around, the generations gathered in groups, freshly baked goods emerged from Tupperware and prosecco flowed into plastic flutes. Oddsocks’ Harrogate audience, it seems, is a seasoned one.

The Bard’s consummate comedy, Much Ado About Nothing, is Oddsocks’ 2023 summer piece and, in its suitably Shakespearean outdoor setting, is a production bursting with energy and humour, interspersed with musical ditties, gags galore, improvisation and audience participation, with a small but perfectly formed (and very silly) cast of people who undoubtedly enjoy what they do.

Oddsocks has, in its own words, an “irreverent style” in bringing Shakespeare to life and, amidst the slapstick humour and modern additions, there is both a respect and a cheeky disdain for the Bard and his oft tricky text that can, for the modern theatregoer, prove challenging to unravel.

The approach is one that works to make the production appeal across the generations: quirky and fresh, lacking condescension or the need for a knowledge of the First Folio.  “You don’t have a clue what I’m going on about, do you?”, joked one player, to an audience that clearly didn’t quite follow her drift – but far from feeling foolish, the crowd delighted in being made to feel part of it.

Perhaps not one for the serious Shakespeare-lovers; but, for those in search of a civilised summer evening’s entertainment spent with family and friends, this is just the ticket. I’ll be back next year, albeit wearing another layer or two, and having prepared the perfect picnic in advance.

Oddsocks’ Much Ado About Nothing at RHS Harlow Carr is on tonight and is part of the Harrogate International Festival. For more information on this evening’s performance and this summer’s events click here. 

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Carnival coming to Harrogate as part of summer programme

Harrogate is to hold a carnival for the first time in three years as part of a summer programme of cultural activities announced today.

Harrogate International Festivals will stage nine nights of events. starting on July 28 with the Brodsky Quartet at St Wilfrid’s Church.

Other highlights include the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, featuring authors such as Lynda La Plante, Michael Connelly and Ann Cleeves and the return of the Spiegeltent, including festivals favourite Graeme Park and a burlesque performance.

Mark Billingham (left) and Richard Osman (right) at the crime writing festival last year

Musicians and dancers will parade through the town centre on July 30 as part of a Rio de Janeiro-themed carnival.

The free family event, which has been commissioned by Harrogate Borough Council., will start with a parade through the town centre, featuring dancers and musicians.

It will finish in Valley Gardens where there will be street food stands, dance classes, jugglers, and live music.

This year’s programme also includes Oddsocks Productions’ performance of Shakespeare’s Hamlet  at RHS Harlow Gardens, numerous classical and chamber music events and Berwins Salon North hosting a variety of TED talks discussing the power of influence.  

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Harrogate International Festivals chief executive, Sharon Canavar said:  

“Our final event of our 2022 summer programme is a real show-stopper.

“Carnival is an all-day, free family event which will bring the world to Harrogate as we celebrate a wealth of different cultures through dance, music and food.”

Since the pandemic, Harrogate International Festivals has held most events online.  

Ms Canavar said:  

“Two years ago, covid shut the events industry down overnight — and our very future was left hanging by a thread.”

The full programme is available here.

Outdoor Shakespeare theatre returns to Harrogate’s Harlow Carr next month

Live theatre will make its comeback in Harrogate next month when Shakespeare is performed in the grounds of RHS Harlow Carr.

The family-friendly adaptation of The Comedy of Errors will be performed as part of Harrogate International Festivals.

Oddsocks Productions, which is known for its high-energy performances of Shakespeare classics, will tell the story of a servant and master from Syracuse in search of their long-lost twin brothers.

As the name suggests there are plenty of twists and turns leading to a happy ending which defies all probability.

The production company is staging the play in the grounds of the gardens on July 6 and 7, and promises lots of audience participation.

Sharon Canavar, Harrogate International Festivals chief executive, said:

“As an organisation that is best known for delivering a wide range of cultural events and festivals, the last 15 months have been particularly challenging for us.

“Oddsocks Productions have been a firm favourite of ours for decades and I couldn’t think of a more fitting play than The Comedy of Errors to help bring some much-needed laughter to the town.

“So pack your picnic and join the crazy theatre troupe for a festival of music, magic and mayhem.”

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The audience is advised to prepare for all types of weather during the outdoor event, with rugs and deckchairs highly recommended.

Tickets can be bought here. Adult tickets cost £22.