Shakespeare's birthday bash will mark the start of the season for a unique Powys venue

A unique venue in Powys will kick off its season with its annual birthday bash for William Shakespeare.

The Willow Globe at Penlanole, Llanwrthwl will welcome the year in a blaze of glory on Sunday, April 26 from 3pm until 6pm.

Sue Best and Philip Bowen have been inviting audiences to their own homebuilt theatre since 2006. Their venue is a scaled-down version of Shakespeare’s Globe, created with woven willow.

Enjoy an afternoon of ad hoc performances, stalls and activities, find out more about Shakespeare Link and the Willow Globe, and see how you can get involved.

The bar will be open, and there will be plenty of delicious homemade cake. Everyone is welcome—go along and celebrate with them!

Admission is free.

The new season will then start with three performances of The Tempest on Friday June 5 at 7pm, Saturday, June 6 at 7pm and Sunday, June 7 at 3pm.

This summer, Shakespeare Link's much-loved Willow Globe Theatre Company returns to the magical open-air stage with Shakespeare's The Tempest - a story of shipwreck, sorcery, and the power of forgiveness.

Each year, a cast and crew of around 40 local people come together - regardless of experience - to bring Shakespeare to life in the unique performance space.

The show will be directed by Ian Yeoman with music by Jim Elliott and there will be an interval in the show

Tickets are £14 for adults, £7 for under 16’s, and £35 for a family of two adults and two under 16’s.

This event has been made possible by generous funding and support from The Ashley Family Foundation and Community Foundation Wales

Later in the month Midsummer Revels will take place at the Lake in Llandrindod Wells with a free arts and nature festival.

It will be held on Sunday, June 21 from 11am until 5pm.

The festival-style day will be full of art workshops, nature walks, moth trapping, circus skills and family activities in the beautiful surroundings of the Amphitheatre at Llandrindod Lake. Discover where the arts meet the outdoors, with special guests Shakespeare Link, ending the day with an open-air performance of The Tempest. To end June Arclight Drama Studio will present The Two Noble Kinsmen on Saturday, June 27 at 7pm.

This rarely staged drama by William Shakespeare and John Fletcher tells a powerful story of

friendship, rivalry, love and honour, as two noble cousins find their bond tested by fate. Blending high passion with moments of tenderness and wit, it is a moving exploration of loyalty and desire.

Director Paul Cullen brings a fresh and heartfelt vision to this complex story:

He said; ‘The Two Noble Kinsmen’ is about love and loyalty - and the fragile line between the two. The Willow Globe gives us a space where myth and reality can merge, just as Shakespeare intended. It’s a chance to rediscover one of his most poetic and human works.”

Tickets are £14 for adults, £7 for under 16’s and £35 for a family of two adults and two under 16’s.

There will be an interval in the show

To book tickets and for more information visit www.shakespearelink.org.uk/, email [email protected] or call 01597 811487