2 of 40 - Watch Shakespeare at Tolethorpe

Having lived near Stamford for the best part of 12 years, I had never been to the must-go-to amateur Shakespeare festival of the East Midlands.  Of course I'd heard good things about it, but a concerted effort was required to go.  Each year, the Stamford Shakespeare Company put on 3 different plays (2 Shakespeare and 1 not!) throughout the months of June, July and August.  This year it was the turn of A Midsummer Night's Dream, Much Ado About Nothing and Hobson's Choice.  So, in fact I went to town on this item: I've been twice!

The setting is magical - Tolethorpe Hall is just outside Stamford and the stage is backed by trees, so is open air; under a canopy, the 600-strong audience are away from the elements!  Before the performance, there's an area for picnicking...

My mother and my friend Anne having a picnic before A Midsummer Night's Dream.

The magical setting of the glade for the play.

Although it's an amateur production, the cast are slick and the production would make Shakespeare proud.  I'll definitely return next year and this 40 before 40 will hopefully have a positive effect on my cultural being for a good while longer!