A magical outdoor stage, amongst the secret setting of a willow globe.
I booked tickets to see Debs Newbold tell the story of Shakespeare’s tragedy King Lear back in March and to be honest completely forgot about it until a couple of weeks ago. I thought the Willow Globe seemed like an interesting place so I was curious to try it out...
The whole experience was really magical, watching theatre outdoors, hearing the birds and watching the weather change was so special.
When I was younger we used to go to the Minack Theatre in Cornwall and I remember it so well, there’s something magical about watching theatre outside, we feel very lucky to have something similar so close.
We loved it so much we went back the next day with the children to see Debs' tell the story of female pirate Grace O Malley which was just as engaging and the children loved it, they are still talking about it now.
The Willow Globe is about half an hours drive from us just outside Llandrindod Wells and  is a scaled down, living version of the Globe theatre in London, being a third of its size in diameter. It has been carefully woven into an organic willow theatre, we visited in June and and the theatre was completely absorbed by its lush, green surroundings.
This secret, magical and intimate space with a rough thrust stage, is totally unique - one of the largest willow constructions in the country and probably the only one in use as a theatre in the world.
The Willow Globe hosts events from April - September, It is a venue for an eclectic mix of music, Shakespeare, and other performances. They also have the option of wet weather cover in a big top circus tent should it rain. Doors open an hour before the performance where you can mill around in the outdoor bar where drinks are served from a little hatch.
Shakespeare Link was founded in 1992 by Artistic Directors Susanna Best and Philip Bowen, whose extensive professional experience in theatre includes years with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the English Shakespeare Company, the Royal Opera House and the Old Vic. The Company has had charitable status since 1994.
I did wonder how such a complex story such as King Lear would traslate to a one woman show, but Debs’ was incredible at telling the story, it was almost like she was channeling Shakespeare himself, the setting of the willow globe just added to the already immersive experience. We found ourselves a bit wobbly afterwards, the performance really took our breath away.
The Sunday Times said it's "Britains most enchanting outdoor drama experience". and we can agree!
We will definitely be returning to the Willow Globe and recommend it to all of our guests.
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