Twelfth Night – Middleton Park – 7 July 2015

Well I think we can safely say that the Oddsocks Productions brought the house down last Tuesday with their wild and wacky production of Twelfth Night in wild Middleton Park. Back by popular demand this a madcap musical treat with Shakespeare’s love story intertwined with well-known British Chart hits to keep the blood pumping and the mood merry.

Despite the topsy turvey weather of bright sunshine then heavy showers all the cast of Andy Barrow, Lucy Varney, Kevin Kemp, Gavin Harrison, Rebecca Little, and Peter Hoggart put on a great show. All the cast played multiple characters with aplomb, panache and bravado. Tongues were definitely in cheek and embarrassment put aside, especially as onesies and gold lamé pants were on-show (along with cross-gartered stockings) as worn by theatre director, actor, writer and co-founder of Oddsocks Productions Andy Barrow.

Andy Barrow had warned us to expect ‘Lively characters, live music and thoughtful performances of experiences that things they will have experienced. Expect to be energised and moved on a journey that you can relive time and time again in your imaginations!’

Alan Shaw, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Friends of Middleton Park, said

“People certainly seemed to be enjoying the spectacle, despite, or should that be in-spite of the rain. Oddsocks are just such good value for money – they get everybody really engaged with what they are doing, borrowing sweets from the audience, and making local references. No we are glad we aren’t a Harrogate audience! We look forward to seeing them again – in better weather – next year.”

Set up 25 years ago by Andy Barrow and Elli Mackenzie, Oddsocks Productions is a critically acclaimed national touring theatre company that takes its work out to diverse communities across the UK. Its summer season celebrates the work of Shakespeare; in family friendly environments and spaces and during its winter season it tours traditional family productions.

The Friends of Middleton Park is a charity who work with Leeds City Council and other stakeholders to put on an extensive programme of events on in Middleton Park between May and September each year. Events range from Shakespeare plays (with the help of Oddsocks) to brass bands, history and wildlife walks to music festivals. Why not come down on a Sunday afternoon to see what we are doing?

 

This post was written by Frances Jones using our Create an article for South Leeds Life page.