Titchfield Festival Theatre (TFT) is delighted to present  Shakespeare in Love, a vibrant and romantic comedy, to open the summer season in the historic Great Barn, Titchfield. It’s a play which will appeal to those new to Shakespeare’s writing as well as long-standing fans of the Bard’s work.

Based on the Academy Award-winning movie, Shakespeare in Love is an enchanting, hilarious, romantic stage play which reimagines William Shakespeare's creative process - and explores his inspiration - as he writes Romeo and Juliet. The play is on stage at The Great Barn, Titchfield 27 May – 5 June.

Emma Bevan is the director of Shakespeare in Love and discussed preparations for the play with Simon Frost:

Simon: Why did TFT choose 'Shakespeare in Love' to kick off its summer Shakespeare season?

Emma: The Great Barn is a beautiful setting for this play: to be able to tell a story about Shakespeare in a building he would have actually been in years ago feels very special. I've directed a lot of Shakespeare in the past, it makes a real change to be directing the playwright rather than the play this time.

Simon: What is it like directing in The Great Barn?

Emma: I've previously directed 5 Shakespeare plays in the Barn - Much Ado, Taming of the Shrew, Merchant of Venice, As You Like It and Alls Well That Ends Well. The barn doesn't need any backdrop or set as it is so beautiful and has a very traditionally Shakespearean feel to it. It means being creative in how to create the scene, relying on the actors to provide the story which also means you can use your imagination and be free to explore without the limits of set.

Simon: The play features a 'play-within-a-play' structure, with numerous characters adopting disguises and playing multiple roles. How do you approach the challenge of ensuring clarity for the audience while maintaining the comedic confusion and theatrical flair?

Emma: The 'play-within-a-play' allows a bit of good old fashioned overacting which I hope will stand out as the 'inner play'. There are multiple changes and disguises which is a challenge but adds to the fun. It's quite a physical play, the ensemble play an integral part in creating the scene.

Simon: The play depicts a vibrant theatrical world of Elizabethan England. What will the set and costumes be like?

Emma: The medieval Great Barn spans the Elizabethan era, so the set is perfect. We'll be using traditional costume and although the language is modern English, the audience will be transported into Elizabethan England.

Simon: The relationship between Will and Viola is central to the story, but it also raises questions about gender roles and societal expectations of the time. How do you approach these themes and ensure they resonate with a modern audience?

Emma: The play is a romantic comedy, popular for today's audience. It's tongue in cheek and shouldn't be taken seriously. Having said that the questions raised about gender and societal expectations is even more relevant today in terms of gender recognition and fitting into society.

Simon: Why should people come along and watch?

Emma: It's a good fun play in an impressive setting and audiences will be amused and entertained.

Shakespeare in Love performs in the Great Barn, Titchfield between 27 May and 5 June 2025. For more information including booking tickets please go to http://titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com/ or contact our Box Office on 0333 666 3366.

Photo Credit: Ross Underwood