Roll up, roll up for the Calderstones Summer Fair!

The final days of summer are just around the corner, but at The Reader Organisation we might just have saved the best till last with what's happening at the Mansion House at Calderstones...

Last week the Garden Theatre reopened in the grandest style imaginable with two nights of King Lear at Calderstones. Shakespeare's Globe brought their first small-scale touring production of the play to the Mansion House, with both performances a complete sell-out. Underneath the stars and in the beautiful outdoor surroundings, timeless Shakespearean drama played out to a captivated audience. The cast, including stage and screen actors Joseph Marcell as King Lear and Rawiri Paratene as Gloucester, gave five-star performances from - and at times, down from - a custom-built stage, making for two very special shows that brought the Garden Theatre back to life after 30 years.

The responses from the audiences on Twitter confirmed what many people expressed as a wish at our Mansion House Public Open Days back in April - to see theatre put back at the heart of the park and community:

#Lear is exactly as touring shakespeare should be. Snappy, high energy and inventive

Wow! Now THAT is life! Brought a friend who had never seen/read any Shakespeare and she loved it. Thank you 🙂

Loved #Lear by @The_Globe last night @CaldiesMansion. Hope @The_Globe come back soon

The play also received a 5* review from Sean Bradbury in the Liverpool Post:

This production of King Lear has set the bar high for the new era of theatre in Calderstones Park but one thing is for sure - it is going to be a real treat sitting under the stars to see if anything can match it.

However, Lear has only got us into gear for a load more activity and excitement at the Mansion House...

There's a very special treat in store next week as The Reader Organisation prepares to hold its first Summer Fair at Calderstones on Saturday 31st August, 11am-5pm. It'll be a day for the family and whole community to enjoy with lots of wonderful attractions, including:

•  games
• crafts and plant stalls
• face painting
• possibly the world's first poetry photo booth with custom recitals
• live music
• a Harry Potter fancy dress competition for children
• Wishing Tree and Memory Wall to share your thoughts about the Mansion House

...and there will be tons more in store on the day; you'll have to join us to find out exactly what...

Even if the sun isn't shining outside, it still promises to be a summer spectacular at the Mansion House. Roll up, roll up - and join the Reading Revolution! Head to the Calderstones section of our website to find out more about the Summer Fair, as well as the summer programme of activities at the Mansion House, or call for more information on 0151 724 5000