A production of Shakespeare’s As You Like It will involve over a hundred people next month as the National Theatre at the southbank and charity Reach join forces, writes Hillary Chaisson….
From the 24th to 27th of August at the Queen’s Theatre in Hornschurch, Thames Reach participants, volunteers, and staff will join more than one hundred community members, professional actors, and performance group across London in a production of Shakerspeare’s As You Like It.
This performance is a part of National Theatre’s Public Acts imitative which aims to create a fusion with theatre and it’s community.
Thames Reach is a charity that works to support vulnerable adults to find decent homes, and lead fulfilling lives.
They do this by offering street outreach services including the London Street Rescue Service, hostels, accommodation for people with substance misuse and mental health problems, services for women fleeing domestic violence, and more.
Virginia Croft, basic skills coordinator at Thames Reach, said, “Working with the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and the National Theatre has proved an amazing opportunity.
“Those involved have told us that they feel they belong, they have a voice, and feel part of something.
“We know that the people we work with have many challenges in their lives, being part of Public Acts is an experience
that no-one can take away from them.”
The cast of professional actors include Beth Hinton-Lever (Spring Awakening, Hope Mill Theatre), Linford Johnson (The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, Park Theatre), Ebony Jonelle (Top Girls, National Theatre), to name a few.
Live captioning and live audio description will be available at all five performances. Audiences who require audio description are advised to book tickets by calling the Box Office on 01708 443333 to reserve a headset.
Showtimes are at 7pm Saturday through Tuesday, and 2pm on Monday.
Tickets cost £15 for adults and £7.50 for people under 18.
To book tickets, visit https://www.queens-theatre.co.uk/whats-on/show/as-you-like-it/