| Company type | Theatre company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Arts & entertainment |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Founder | Trish Knight-Webb |
| Headquarters | , |
Area served | United Kingdom, Europe |
Key people | Michael Dyer (Artistic Director), Judi Dench (Patron) |
Production output | Shakespearean drama |
| Services | Outdoor touring theatre |
| Website | www |
The Festival Players Theatre Company is a British professional open-air touring theatre company, specialising in producing and performing works by William Shakespeare. Based in Gloucestershire, the company performs across the United Kingdom and Europe, offering fast-paced, accessible interpretations of classic texts, often staged in village greens, gardens, castles, and parks. Since 2014, it has performed exclusively with an all-male cast, echoing Elizabethan theatre traditions. The company’s patron is Judi Dench. [1]
The company was founded in 1986 by Trish Knight-Webb, who directed its debut production of Romeo and Juliet for the Three Choirs Festival. [1] Knight-Webb led the company until 2001. In 1997, it became a registered company limited by guarantee. [2]
In 2002, leadership passed to Michael Dyer, a director with previous experience at the Minack Theatre in Cornwall. Under his direction, the company evolved into a fully professional touring troupe. In 2014, it transitioned to an all-male cast format, typically composed of six actors playing multiple roles. This format pays homage to the performance conditions of Shakespeare's Globe and other Renaissance theatres. [1]
The company’s musical components have often been composed by Johnny Coppin, a Gloucestershire-based folk musician. [3]
Each year, The Festival Players tour a new production of a Shakespeare play, performing at over 70 venues per season across the UK and mainland Europe, including Norway, The Netherlands, and Belgium. [1]
The Festival Players have received critical acclaim for their innovative but faithful interpretations of Shakespeare. Their minimalist staging, accessible language delivery, and original musical scores have been credited with making Shakespeare engaging for contemporary audiences. Their 2016 production of Hamlet was described as “gripping” by The Exeter Daily. [4]