Bard in the Botanics

Theatre critic Mark Fisher on the Shakespeare productions planned for 2012

Alan Cumming, David Hayman and more to stage the Bard next year

13 Dec 2011

In 1964, the Polish critic Jan Kott published Shakespeare, our Contemporary. The book caused a stir for framing a long-dead playwright through the lens of 20th century totalitarianism. Director Peter Brook was delighted to find a commentator who could…

A Midsummer Night’s Dream - Botanical Gardens, Glasgow, until Sat 9 Jul

Gordon Barr's outdoor production retains its Shakespearean sparkle

8 Jul 2011

First things first: it is a bit of a shame that this year’s opening production for the 10th anniversary programme of Bard in the Botanics has been consigned to a small corner at the rear of the Kibble Palace. While the cast work as hard as ever and the…

Bard in the Botanics - 10 years of Glasgow’s outdoor Shakespeare festival

Artistic director Gordon Barr on 2011 anniversary programme

27 May 2011

Artistic director Gordon Barr reminisces about ten years of Glasgow’s outdoor Shakespeare festival and looks ahead to the anniversary programme with Steve Cramer It seems a little odd that we should think of Shakespeare played outdoors as a peculiar…

King Lear

Botanic Gardens, Glasgow, until Sat 10 Jul

2 Jul 2010

As is so often the case with outdoor performances, an audience’s ultimate enjoyment of this first show in Bard in the Botanics’ 2010 season might be more a matter of projection than performance. While some of the parts require – and are afforded – a…

King Lear, Queen Margaret, Twelfth Night and Titus Andronicus - Bard in the Botanics 2010

24 Jun 2010

‘Every new play I’m approaching is what keeps me excited by this job,’ says Gordon Barr, artistic director of Bard in the Botanics, Glasgow’s outdoor Shakespeare festival. ‘Each of Shakespeare’s plays brings new challenges and opportunities because…

Music festivals 2010: Festival profiles

28 May 2010

Big or small, loud or quiet, dry or muddy – we love festivals whatever their size, sound or likelihood to leave you soaking wet. Over the next 20 pages we'll give you the lowdown on every major fest hitting Scotland this summer, and information on a few…

Bard in the Botanics

11 Jun 2009

There are probably fewer people in Scotland more excited about the Met Office’s predicted heatwave this summer than Gordon Barr, artistic director of Bard in the Botanics, Glasgow’s annual outdoor Shakespeare festival. ‘I’m really keeping my fingers…

Days Out: Glasgow

1 Jun 2009

Escape the regular way of city life and head to one of these scenic destinations or unique outdoor events. Much more fun than chips on a park bench.

Much Ado About Nothing

31 Jul 2008

While Edinburgh dances to a Festival beat for much of August, Glasgow’s Bard in the Botanics continues its annual programme with a visually stunning promenade production of one of Shakespeare’s richest comedies. Grab a picnic (or a brolly) and enjoy an…

The Merchant of Venice

3 Jul 2008

OUTDOOR THEATRE Botanic Gardens, Glasgow, until Sat 12 Jul Don’t be put off by Glasgow’s unpredictable weather and miss this summer’s Bard in the Botanics. Cheerful and casual in its approach to theatre, the outdoor play season is a big hit with…

Bard in the Botanics

19 Jun 2008

If you accept the notion that ‘a sad tale’s best for winter’, it follows that a pair of comedies make the best entertainment for a summer backdrop. The programmers behind Bard in the Botanics certainly appear to think so. This year, Glasgow’s outdoor…

Gordon Barr

18 Jun 2007

There might be a groan from theatre critics at yet another summer production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the park, but there's no doubting the resilience and popularity of the old standard. Also, as this upcoming production from Bard in the Botanics…

Hitlist - The best theatre & dance

18 Jun 2007

Detainee A Another major contribution to refugee week is this piece directed by Cora Bissett and featuring a cast of 21, which tells the story of an Asian family in Glasgow devastated by police raids and arrests. The Arches, Glasgow, Tue 26-Thu 28…