East London Shakespeare Festival was founded by Ursula Early and Rosie Ward. They met while doing outdoor Shakespeare and now ‘the wheel is come full circle’ … it is their shared enthusiasm for creating fun, accessible events in beautiful local spaces, which sparked the idea behind the birth of the East London Shakespeare Festival.

Rosie is the founder, Artistic Director and Producer of UpFront Theatre Company Ltd, an educational company offering PSHE workshops for KS2 – 5. Projects include: Before Anyone Else (UK Tour), In Harm’s Way (UK Tour), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Charity Performance), BuckleUp (EdFringe16) and Bump! (EdFringe16.)  She is the Principal at Act Out Performing Arts, which has 2 successful schools for 4-16 yr olds in Muswell Hill and Walthamstow.

Tell us about ELSF’s Much Ado?

Lots of movement & silliness & colour! It’s set in modern Messina, so we’re hoping to manifest the sunshine, and even when the weather is not on our side, we’ll be bringing the Mediterranean to East London! It’s a story about trickery, characters colliding & eluding – we’ve tried to reflect that with the characters & the set constantly on the move. And we have an amazing cast who are able to capture the fun, the drama, the language & most importantly, the heart of this story. 

How have you made the play family-friendly? 

We have integrated loads of movement & physical comedy into our version – including that oh-so famous Shakespearean airport scene…! Our masked ball is a toe-tapping dance number to an amazing soundtrack from Dua Lipa to Irma Thomas – something for all ages & even an opportunity to sing along! As well as Shakespeare’s beautiful language & the romance for the grown ups, there is so much scope for silliness with the comedy characters & all the trickery & mischief for our younger audiences. We also have family tickets & doors open an hour early so families can enjoy a picnic together before the show & perhaps even meet a few of the residents of Messina. 

What is your favourite scene in the show?

I love the gulling scenes where Beatrice & Benedick’s friend’s trick them into admitting their true feelings of love for one another. They are so much fun & our version will have moving set, actors hiding in the audience, even a swimming pool! The opportunities for comedy are endless, but at its heart, it’s 2 people who love each other deeply who need a push in the right direction from the people who love them! There’s so much heart in this play! And love winning out over hate – Don Pedro orchestrates tricks to bring everyone together despite Don John’s tricks to break them apart.

Why do you think summer and Shakespeare is such a popular combination?

There is nothing more glorious than enjoying theatre in the sunshine, enjoying a picnic with friends and family. Even when the weather isn’t perfect, I think Shakespeare is the best performed outdoors. He refers to the elements so often in the text – the characters often use weather or nature as metaphors to reflect their state of mind – & for the audience to experience that with them in real time is truly magical!

Much Ado is touring to more venues than your previous tours – how does it feel to be expanding year on year?

We are expanding to Plashet Park & Forest Gate Community Gardens in Newham, and we’re dipping our toe into South-East and North London, visiting the beautiful Crystal Palace Park & Lauderdale House in Highgate. & while East London will always our home, it feels very exciting to be expanding beyond. The growth over the years has felt very natural – we started in Waltham Forest & Redbridge in 2021, added Hackney in 2022 & 2023 – Newham felt like the natural next move & we are very lucky to have the support of Newham Council and the wonderful Applecart Arts, along with a host of wonderful & dynamic parks & outdoor community spaces.