SHOWS return in a new format at the Brownsea Open Air Theatre following months of closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Brownsea Open Air Theatre's (BOAT) traditional Shakespeare productions have been set on The National Trust's Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour ever since 1964 until they came to a grinding halt as the pandemic intervened.

The experience of the trip to the island, the picnic in the grounds, the show itself and the boat back is something people return for again and again, say organisers.

With the pandemic preventing a production this year and last, BOAT’s creative team decided to develop ways of using the internet to bring Shakespeare to everyone.

‘Shakespeare Shorts’ is a series of extracts from Shakespeare’s works, including Hamlet, Richard III, Romeo and Juliet, The Tempest, Macbeth and Twelfth Night.

‘Stir up Shakespeare’ is a hands on way to learn about the great playwright, using items commonly found at home. Children and young adults can join in by making their own scene from Romeo and Juliet in a shoebox or make fake pies for a feast.

As restrictions lift BOAT is looking forward to 2022 when they hope to be back on Brownsea Island.

Keep your eye on www.brownsea-theatre.co.uk for information about 2022.

To find out more visit www.brownsea-theatre.co.uk/stir-up-shakespeare and www.youtube.com/c/BrownseaOpenAirTheatre.