A NEW theatre company has teamed up with an established Shakespeare production group for a tour of Dorset and New Forest venues.

Extraordinary Theatre Company is joining forces with Brownsea Open Air Theatre (BOAT), which has been doing Shakespeare plays for 57 years, to perform King Lear.

Opening on October 25 at Bournemouth Little Theatre in Victoria Park, the show will then visit seven other venues before completing its tour on November 18.

The company is aiming to focus on getting the message across to young people that Shakespeare is accessible, relevant, and rewarding.

It will be performing at three schools, where it will also be running specially designed ‘From Page To Stage’ workshops for drama and English students, giving them insights into the challenges that come with directing and acting in one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies.

The theatre company also wants to support the community and will be donating 50 per cent of the profits from King Lear to Julia's House hospice, which provides practical and emotional support for families caring for a child with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition.

King Lear will be performed at the following venues:

  • October 25-29: Bournemouth Little Theatre
  • November 1: Queen Elizabeth’s School, Wimborne
  • November 4: Forest Forge Theatre, Ringwood
  • November 7: Hanger Farm Arts Centre, Totton
  • November 9: Forest Arts Centre, New Milton
  • November 10/11: The Black Cherry, Boscombe
  • November 14: Bournemouth School for Girls
  • November 18: Lytchett Minster School

For more details, including tickets, visit kinglearplay.co.uk