Studio Theatre, of which I am a director and trustee, will be staging a production of Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Ilfracombe and Torrington, North Devon this June.

Not only is this production part of the North Devon Festival, but it is also part of the RSC Open Stages programme, which involves workshops with the RSC, mentoring and the chance to be selected to perform at the RSC at Stratford-upon-Avon. The play is directed by Bob Corwin and the cast features a number of younger performers as Studio Theatre aims to promote both Shakespeare and theatre generally.

You can book tickets online for performances at the Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe on Thursday 9 and Saturday 11 June  or call The Plough Arts Centre, Torrington for tickets on Friday 10 June.

The production promises enjoyment for those who already know Shakespeare and for those new to his plays.

See the ever-popular war game with songs, jokes and a few battles!

Studio Theatre’s production of Oh, What a Lovely War! at the Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe, North Devon combines the songs that united the ordinary soldiers of the Great War with a wry look at the politicians and officers in charge of the carnage.

Set as a pierrot show, projected images and shocking statistics of the war on the Western Front contrast with the comedy action taking place on the stage in this 1960s satire which achieved West End success.

Throughout the action the ensemble cast sing well-known songs including Belgium Put the Kaibosh on the Kaiser, Hold Your Hand Out
You Naughty Boy, Goodbye-ee, Row Row Row, I’ll Make a Man of You, It’s a Long Way to Tipperary, Christmas Day in the Cookhouse, Sister Susie’s Sewing Shirts for Soldiers and Oh, It’s a Lovely War, many with humorous lyrics adapted by the soldiers in the trenches.

See the volunteers struggle to learn combat drill, watch the Tommies mingle with their German counterparts during the Christmas ‘truce’ and gape at the great European nations as their monarchs, politicians and generals stumble into the morass resulting in four years of pointless trench warfare.

First staged in 1963 and devised by Joan Littlewood and the Theatre Workshop, Oh, What a Lovely War! was influenced by the late Alan Clark’s military history ‘The Donkeys’ as well as by ‘The Good Soldier Svejk’ by Czech humourist Jasoslav Hasek.

Studio Theatre’s cast of 20 share the roles of soldiers, nurses, monarchs, generals, officers, secret police and more from the pre-war empires of Europe, accompanied on the joanna by Mike Riley and commanded from the safety of the auditorium by director Lee Baxendale.

Thursday 5 & Friday 6 November 2009, 7.45pm

Call the box office on 01271 324242 or book online at northdevontheatres.org.uk

Visit studiotheatreonline.org.uk for full details

When You're Smiling II @ Landmark Pavilion

Studio Theatre recreates film, radio comedy and musical stars who kept Britain smiling through the war years in a fast-moving tribute show.

Family fun and laughter in a cabaret-style setting at the Landmark Pavilion, Ilfracombe, North Devon.

Monday 3 August 2009
Monday 10 August 2009
Monday 17 August 2009
Monday 24 August 2009

Tickets: £7.

Book When You’re Smiling II online or call the Landmark box office to book on 01271 324242.

See details of all Studio Theatre’s summer productions at studiotheatreonline.org.uk.

Hobson's Choice @ Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe & Croyde & Pilton, North Devon

Studio Theatre will be staging Harold Brighouse’s comedy, Hobson’s Choice, at

• Friday 24 July 2009 – Pilton Church Hall – tickets on the door £7
• Sunday 26 July 2009 – Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe – tickets £8.50. Family ticket: £28.00.
• Thursday 30 July2009 – Croyde Village Hall – tickets on the door £7
• Sunday 2nd August 2009 – Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe – tickets £8.50. Family ticket: £28.00.

Book Landmark tickets online or call the Landmark box office on 01271 324242.

Set in 1880s Salford, Henry Horatio Hobson is a successful shop owner selling shoes made by his employee Will Mossop. Hobson rules his household with a rod of iron, but when his children and shoemaker rebel, what choice is he presented with? Discover the hilarity of his dilemma as Studio Theatre brings this delightful Lancashire comedy to life.

Many will remember the famous film version starring Charles Laughton, John Mills and Brenda De Banzie, and Studio Theatre’s cast bringing the play to life on stage features Alan Bailey, Matt Cann, Larry Fabian, Carla Morgan, Lisa Morgan, James Morrison, Jason Morrison, Sara Pruce, Tony Parker, Peggy Strudwick, Rod Vass and Fenella Watson.

Visit Studio Theatre online for more details.

The perfect holiday night out for the whole family

After its success with The Vicar of Dibley, Small Pond Productions returns with a brand new weekly Monday-night summer show.

Packed with toe-tapping show-tunes, mystical magic and cheeky seaside comedy, Summer Showtime also features a live band plus a full-supporting company and is a truly great night out for all the family to enjoy.

• Monday 21 July – Landmark Pavilion, Ilfracombe
• Monday 28 July - Landmark Pavilion, Ilfracombe
• Monday 4 August - Landmark Pavilion, Ilfracombe
• Monday 11 August  - Landmark Pavilion, Ilfracombe
• Monday 18 August  - Landmark Pavilion, Ilfracombe
• Monday 1 September - Landmark Pavilion, Ilfracombe

When You’re Smiling, devised by Mike Bennett, is a bubbling summer mix of song, dance and comedy celebrating the stars of the 1940s with performances by Studio Theatre at the Landmark Pavilion and across North Devon.

Laugh at the comedy and listen to the songs of Vera Lynn, Rob Wilton, Flanagan & Allen, Gert & Daisy, the Andrews Sisters, Marlene Dietrich, Max Miller, Groucho Marx, Anne Shelton and Stanley Holloway.

Catch When You’re Smiling @

• Saturday 26th July – Landmark Pavilion, Ilfracombe
• Friday 1st August – Combe Martin Village Hall
• Friday 8th August – Woolacombe Village Hall
• Saturday 9th August - Landmark Pavilion, Ilfracombe
• Friday 15th August – Pilton Church Hall
• Saturday 16th August - Landmark Pavilion, Ilfracombe

All performances start at 8.15pm.

Tickets are £7 on the door or Landmark Pavilion tickets can be reserved from the box office on 01271 324242 or book online at www.northdevontheatres.org.uk.

Tickets for other venues available from Combe Martin & Woolacombe Tourist Information Centres.

More details at www.studiotheatreonline.org.uk.