CHARLES DICKENS'
“TDTC sets a new standard
for open air theatre”
BBC Radio Wiltshire
“The humour, (especially the humour)
is impeccably presented”
Hastings Independent
‘’I don’t know what to do! I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel… A merry Christmas to every-body!”
Get into the Christmas spirit with The Duke’s Theatre Company's first indoor season; a nail-biting retelling of perhaps the most famous ghost story of all time, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. An industry leading company of five professional actors transport us to Victorian London in a new adaptation featuring original music, theatrical magic and beautiful lighting.
This new commission is authored by Jolyon Coy, (The Windsors, The Deep Blue Sea, Midsomer Murders) with direction by Katie Beard and Bobby Delaney (Zog and the Flying Doctors UK Tour, Annie West End, Spamalot West End, National Youth Theatre, The History Boys, The Baddies UK Tour).
A Christmas Carol burst into literary history in the Winter of 1843 and has been adapted and retold thousands of times since. The heart-warming story of redemption touches all of us as we moved by the plight of Tiny Tim, the Cratchits and Scrooge’s own hopes and fears. Framed by the spooky goings on of Victorian Spiritualism, this musical adaptation will keep you jumping in your seats and whistling all the way home. Can Christmas cheer transform this “ squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner!”...?
We hope so...
“There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humour.”
“Sold out??
Of course it’s sold out – it’s terrific!”
Twelfth Night – Brighton, 2023
“As good as any RSC I’ve seen previously. Was enthralled throughout.”
Romeo and Juliet – Goodnestone, 2021
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
21st November - 29th December, 2024
ABOUT US
The Duke’s Theatre Company was established in 2019 as an ambitious contributor to the UK’s thriving Open Air theatre scene. The original mission statement read:
“Our aim is to bring industry leading, accessible productions of some of our greatest Classical works, as well as original works, to communities around the UK with energy and accuracy; engaging audiences both young and old. Our production values are high, and we work with the best possible standard of creatives, performers and artists.
After a successful, decade long career as an actor and composer, founder Bobby Delaney had registered TDTC and started to approach venues to host the inaugural tour; Romeo and Juliet. Berkey Castle was the first to sign up and provided confidence that the Open-Air market would welcome a fresh injection of high quality, accessible productions of the classics. Covid hit in February 2020 and the tour, (having been designed, cast and put on sale,) was shelved indefinitely. It wasn’t until the following Summer, as the world tentatively came back to life, that Romeo and Juliet opened at Brighton Open Air Theatre, before touring to 22 venues to great acclaim.
The company went on to increase the tour the following year with A Midsummer Night’s Dream. By 2023, the touring model had grown to 55 venues including an indoor visit to Wilton’s Music Hall. Also on the Twelfth Night tour, the company fund-raised to purchase a tour van.
For 2024, As You Like It will proudly visit the jewel in the UK’s Open-Air circuit: The Minack. The core values: working with the highest calibre artists, using the original text, commissioning original music, and making productions ambitious and accessible remain central to all the work TDTC produce.
The registered office is in Brighton, and the tour takes in locations as far as Penzance and Aberdeen. The small team of Bobby (Producer), Laura (Associate Producer), Daniel, (Website and Designer) and Rosie (Socials and PR) work through the dark months to get everything ready for the launch in March. In May, the Director, Designer, Composer, Stage Manager and Acting Company first come together in London for a month to put together the production that will reach some 40 000 people between June and September.
Beginning in Winter 2024, TDTC are launching their first Christmas Season with a new adaptation of A Christmas Carol.
The venue partners are involved from the beginning of the tour booking process to ensure that each event is tailored to the specific requirement of each individual audience. TDTC is proud to work with a huge variety of organisations, including overall bodies CADW, The National Trust, The University of Leicester, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, as well as dozens of individual organisations taking in the likes of Bowood House and Gardens, Berkeley Castle and Highcliffe Castle. A number of family run houses and gardens, including Fairlight Hall, Sennowe Park and Norwood Park have joined the tour list and prove to be hugely popular with patrons.
GET INVOLVED
Donate, Support
The Duke’s Theatre Company receives no public or government funding and intends to self-generate the finance for all productions. Its inception was generously supported by a small number of key Supporting Founders, and the company wishes to record its gratitude to the following individuals here.
Jonathan Courage | Rosemary and Terry St John | Debbie and Chris Norris
Enid Dunhill | Emily and Ryan Elsworth | TJ | Christine and Dave Nutall
Shamia Chalabi | Stuart Mallalieu | Helen Nuttall | Rosamund Shelley
The generosity of our patrons and friends can help to ensure that our future is secure. As well as donations, we welcome sponsorship of specific props and costumes, or even helping us with rehearsal room access for workshops.
If you would like to join our group of supporters, or make a one-off donation, please email:
info@thedukestheatrecompany.co.uk
Programme Inclusion
For each tour, The Duke’s Theatre Company produces a high-quality, glossy souvenir brochure. We sell roughly 20 000 of these across an average tour, and half a page of advertising can be bought for £300.
Join our Venue Family
We are continually looking for exciting locations to add to our family of venue partners.
Venues considered range from stately homes and castles, to private gardens and Open Air theatres.
Attractive commercial rates, and a bespoke marketing package ensure each event is professionally and competitively managed. Arrangements can also be made for one off, private performances.
For more information, or to suggest a suitable venue, please email
bobby@thedukestheatrecompany.co.uk
Casting
The Duke’s Theatre Company take casting submissions at any time, with initial meetings and recalls taking place in March. We actively seek actors with a particular flair for Classical practice, as well as a robust constitution for Open Air touring.
We are proud to offer an Equity contract to our artists, as well as single occupancy accommodation throughout the entire engagement (rehearsal and playing). The playing schedule is Wednesday to Sunday weekly, with the intention for the company to return home for two full days off per week.
Casting submissions are seriously considered. A covering note should accompany a spotlight link via email, with agents details included. Please wirte to info@thedukestheatrecompany.co.uk with the subject line ‘FAO Casting’.
VENUE TESTIMONIALS
“We were delighted to work with the Duke's Theatre Company in 2021. Their performance of Romeo & Juliet was lauded by our visitors and feedback was unanimously positive. Working with the team was great. The lead-up to the event was effortless and the marketing materials he provided was of a very high quality. The ease & efficiency of their set-up when onsite was exemplary and the actors were friendly and fun to work with. We very much look forward to hosting The Duke's Theatre Company again in 2022.”
Jenny Low
Visitor Business Manager Berkeley Castle
“We were delighted to welcome Duke's Theatre Company to Goodnestone Park in 2021, and will be scheduling a return visit for 2022. Particularly impressive was the thought and time given to promoting the production via print and social media, efforts which were reflected in ticket sales. The affable Company Director maintained excellent communication throughout the booking process, and our share of the house was promptly paid. The production itself received glowing reviews, one audience member tweeting “Fantastic interpretation of Romeo and Juliet at Goodnestone Park Gardens last night. Brilliantly performed, amazing and clever staging, well worth a watch”.
Sally Lewis
Goodnestone Park Gardens
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