Hi! I'm Jess. I've just finished performing The HandleBards' all-female version of As You Like It which we cycled across the UK in Summer 2017 and then recently revived to take to schools, theatres and festivals all over India and South-East Asia. We were happy to be away during the rain and the snow in February, but now we're back. And
Alas! O me! O woe! UK Shakespeare Week is over (boo!), but World Theatre Day is just around the corner (yay!). To help you bridge the theatrical gap we've put together another instalment of Words, Words, Words, delving into some more of the Bard's delightfully delicious wordery. This week, Nel Crouch, director of our forthcoming production of Romeo &
How much Shakespeare do you think you speak every day? None? Some? maybe you speak in perfect blank verse
In 'Words, Words, Words', our new blog series, we focus on some of our favourite Shakespeare quotes from the full list of Shakespeare plays. You'll see that the Bard wrote some really sumptuous lines - unbelievable utterances, many of which are still in use today. We begin with some marvellous mots from our forthcoming production of Twelfth Night. Here,
A paper cup full of steaming hot coffee, a hearty takeaway in a plastic box, any mode of transport that doesn’t involve freezing to death when cycling or walking. We make it through insane weather by way of treats. And when it gets as cold as it has been this week, we sometimes let our green conscience take
Founding HandleBard and Producer Tom Dixon was recently interviewed by London Calling on Shakespeare, cycling, broken bones, our audiences and our plans for the next five years. Find out what he had to say here
Well folks, we're as baffled as you! But the news just in at HandleBards HQ this morning is that MP for Tatton, George Osbourne, is starting a new cycling theatre company to rival the HandleBards and he's calling them 'The Spokespeareans' All we know at the moment is that he intends to make his own bicycle over the next two
We here at HandleBards headquarters think that it's super important to always consider the impact your lifestyle has on the environment. We do appreciate that "it's not easy being green" [Kermit the Frog in The Muppets Sing Along circa 1994] and that your efforts can often feel, time consuming, expensive or like they're not making that much of a difference. Well, turn that frown upside
We're delighted to announce that we've been shortlisted for The Stage Awards 2017. We're up for the Sustainability Award - for our "innovative approach to touring" and our "boundless enthusiasm". We're so proud of the entire team, who work tirelessly to bring cycle-powered Shakespeare to life - congratulations everyone! Read more, and see who we're up against!
Elle Dillon Reams, Lianne Harvey, Lizzie Muncey and Lotte Tickner are the HandleBards' first ever all-female troupe. Together with their Tour Manager, Stephanie Withers, they're currently cycling 1000 miles from London to Edinburgh, whilst performing open-air Shakespeare en-route. We caught up with them, to find out what life on the road with one of the world's barmiest touring theatre companies is really