Over 7 days, the Lions Den on Plymouth’s Hoe foreshore will be transformed into a 70 seater pop up theatre hosting a jam-packed programme of theatre, poetry and performance from some of the most exciting up-and-coming artists around.
Staged in the heart of Plymouth’s beautiful waterfront, this festival will be an event that is completely unique. 'The Lion’s Den' is a grade II listed swimming platform that gives a stunning view of Plymouth’s historic Sound. When we say ‘Waterfront’ we mean it; at just a couple of metres above high tide, we (legally) couldn’t get any closer! Some of Plymouth’s most iconic landmarks – Smeaton’s tower, the breakwater and Drake’s Island – will all be visible from our audience’s seats. It will be like a mini-Minak!
We will be showcasing some of the amazing work that’s being produced in our city as well as further afield. There will be side-splitting comedy, brooding drama and everything in between, including shows in development just for this venue!
Tickets are available through the Barbican Theatre and listings are all on this site. See you at the Lion's Den!
The Waterfront Theatre Festival is produced by Drake's Drummers Theatre Company. Drake's Drummers are an award-winning, new writing company based out of Plymouth. Find out more about their work HERE
Oberon's gone mad. We're talking full-on Hamlet. The fairy king of Midsummer
has kidnapped William Shakespeare, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Shakespearean
Heroes International Evil Lessening Division) and his mischievous sidekick Puck has brought him the Infinity Quill. A quill unlike any other, for the Infinity Quill
has the power to rewrite history itself and forge a new future at the will of its
master.
Slightly anxious of the scenario that is unfolding, Shakespeare's greatest heroes
(and Brutus), decide that they should do something to stop the oncoming apocalypse. Under instruction's from Puck they head to Midsummers Forest. Shakespeare's Avengers have assemblethed.
**** - Broadway Baby
**** - FringeGuru
**** - The Daily Fringe
**** - Buxton Review
**** - Ludlow Fringe Review
Winner Best Adaption – BirminghamFest
Dates:
Saturday 26th 7pm
Run Time – Approx 1 hour.
Prices - £10/£8 Full Price/Concessions
Killer whales Mysty and Cruz are the main attractions at WaveWorld Florida, biggest marine park in the world. Since calfhood, they've been performing synchronised tricks to the greatest hits of the 80s. But there's a whole ocean out there, far far away from oppressive trainers and perspex tanks. It's time to break free...
THUNDER-WHALES is a black comedy with fins, about fame, freedom, and Free Willy.
[waterproof ponchos will be provided if you're sitting in the splash zone]
Praise for previous productions -
***** - Broadway Baby [A Fistful of Honey]
**** - Edinburgh Fringe Review [Rotterz]
**** - West End Wilma [Lions + Tigers + Bears]
Dates:
Friday 25th 1.30pm and 7pm
Saturday 26th , 1.30pm
Run Time - Approx 80 minutes
Price - £10/£8 Full Price/Concessions
Plymouth poet, playwright and full time carer, Anna Fletcher, has been published in a number of national and international poetry anthologies and magazines, both in print and online, as submitter and as Chief Editor.
Anna uses her skills and experience from her previous professional and academic role in teaching special educational needs to promote humility through poetry and social drama.
As a member and trustee of The Playwriters, Anna has written several plays, specifically to raise awareness of mental health issues.
Anna further inspires creativity through writing in her voluntary role with vulnerable adults in the community.
Dates:
Tuesday 22nd 7pm
Price - £3/£2 Full Price/Concessions
In this comedy, new life is breathed into fire-side stories and the “real” history of ancient Greece is presented as never before.
The sort-of truth behind Achilles heel, the face that very nearly launched a thousand ships, the twelve accidental labours of Hercules and more will be revealed in Drake's Drummers 'The Shodyssey'.
Originally commissioned for Outpost Festival 2014, Drake's Drummers are delighted to be re-vamping this cult classic. Grecian Theatre like you've never seen it before!
Dates – Monday 21st , Wednesday 23rd 7pm.
Run Time – Approx 1 hour
Prices - £10/£8 Full Price/Concessions
Acts will appear here when they are confirmed
Acts will appear here when they are confirmed
Pals is an amusing and touching piece of theatre set during the first years of the Great War. This poignant story follows Stan, George and Joe as enthusiastic pals who volunteer to join Kitchener's new army. Their experience of life on the Western front is a stark contrast to what they had been promised by the officers signing them up: “Back before Christmas they said.”
Embarrassing medicals, French girls, lice, rats and shrapnel wait for them but their strong friendship and sense of humour will enable these pals to stick together through it all.
Online trailer: HERE
Highly Recommended : Fringe Review
Age Range: All Ages
Dates:
Sunday August 27th 1.30pm
Sunday August 27th 6.30pm
Run Time: 1 hour 45 mins including interval
Price - £11/£9 Full Price/Concessions
Acts will appear here when they are confirmed
We have had a huge amount of support to run the festival and we are very grateful for it.
We would like to thank our event partners -
Plymouth City Council
Stoltons Pharmacy
Pub on the Hoe
Our designers -
Sam Clarry
Michael Stevenson
Our Front of House Volunteers and Manager.
And those who donated to our crowdfunder -
Nick Buckland, Jake Hughes, Sarah Lawrence, Huw Tinall-Jones, Paul Wright, Katie Graham, Ann D'Costa, Sally Grosvenor, Michael Stevenson, Sam Burckhardt, David Brown, Adam Toon, Megan Delaney, Sam Moffat, Kevin Moffat, Kerry Vautier, Flora Grosvenor-Stevenson, Anastasios Chalas, Thespis Project Theatre and Ella Rose Downing.
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