Top Secret Theatre in Flint over the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend

People in and around Flint should keep their eyes and ears wide open over Easter Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday… in and around Flint, say… in the Castle… or on Flint High Street… or maybe even in a well-known Flint supermarket around 1.30pm, 2.30pm or 3.30pm.

2016 marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. And this Easter Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service responsible for the protection and conservation of a number of monuments, including Flint Castle, and Flintshire County Council’s Arts, Culture and Events Service are sponsoring some rather unusual and exciting events to celebrate the Bard’s special connection to Flint Castle.

Not everyone knows that in Shakespeare’s great play Richard II, the King submits to Henry Bolingbroke’s rebel army at Flint Castle. Richard is then marched to London where he abdicates and is subsequently murdered, paving the way for Bolingbroke to become the next King – Henry IV.

Kevin Jones, Cabinet Member for Leisure, said:

“Flintshire County Council is pleased to be involved in this exciting partnership event aimed at bringing this iconic play and its link with Flint Castle to life for local audiences and visitors.

“The connection between Flint and Shakespeare should be highlighted and promoted widely in an aim to attract more visitors to the area, and during Wales’ Year of Adventure there’s no better time to bring dramatic performances and engaging events to our towns and historic sites.”

Janys Chambers, a BAFTA-nominated writer and director of the event, said:

‘We don’t want to give the game away too much, but there is currently a great vogue for pop-up theatre, and on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, it may well be worth spending your afternoons in and around Flint, say… in the Castle… or on Flint High Street… or maybe even in a well-known Flint supermarket around 1.30pm, 2.30pm or 3.30pm….

You never know what colourful characters from history might suddenly appear… or what they might do!’

The secret theatricals may involve actor Richard Hand (Emmerdale, Coronation Street, Hollyoaks) popular Welsh actor Richard Shackley (Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Theatr Iolo) and Jessica Loren, a new young actress.

Janys added:

‘We think our surprise events will be a lot of fun both for local people and for visitors, while celebrating both an iconic Welsh site and our greatest ever playwright.’

For further information please contact Trefor Lloyd Roberts, FCC Arts Development Officer Trefor.l.roberts@flintshire.gov.uk 01352 704027