TGt Meets...Peter Stickney - Artistic Director & Producer of The Lord Chamberlain’s Men

Meet our latest TGt meets Peter Stickney, the Artistic Director and Producer of The Lord Chamberlain’s Men. As You Like It is coming to the Town Gardens Bowl on Sunday 19th June, so we asked all the juicy questions to help us understand what we can expect from this popular theatre show.

Tell us a little bit about The Lord Chamberlain’s Men…

First created in 1594 The Lord Chamberlain’s Men is the company for whom William Shakespeare wrote some of the greatest plays in history. In 2004 the company was created and presents his work as he first saw it; all male, in the open air and with Elizabethan costume, music and dance. As the artistic director of The Lord Chamberlain’s Men.

What duties/roles do you have to carry out?

You name it and, within reason, I will be doing it. It is a full on job and covers a very wide variety of roles. From booking the tour and accommodation (16 weeks touring 6 nights a week), to creating the cut of the script to casting the actors to creating the show in pre-production with the creative team and then leading the execution of that in the rehearsal room the job is allencompassing but fantastic.

What can people expect from this show this summer?

Our production of As You Like It is joyous and celebratory. It has been described as “sparkling, delightful, authentic” and “very funny and faithful” in the reviews we have received thus far. It is a lot of fun and audiences have been having a great time. There is lots of singing and dancing, some classic Shakespeare cross-dressing confusion and a bit of wrestling too! Something for everyone.

Are you excited to see The Lord Chamberlain’s Men at the Town Gardens Bowl?

I am. The company has never performed in Swindon before so I am excited about that. But I am excited about the space we are playing in too. A secluded spot in the centre of the town and with the back drop of that famous and historic Bowl.

Are outdoor theatre shows becoming more popular? Do you prefer this way of theatre?

Performing outdoors is magical. Our shows have always been popular and that, if anything, has increased over the last few years. People felt it was the safest version of seeing a show last year and were drawn partly because of that but when they came they discovered that what we presented gave them all the very best of a performance indoors with the added extra of the sun and the stars!

What inspired you to fulfil a career in this industry? Was it always something you wanted to do/had a passion for?

I took up acting at high school and progressed from there. I went to the Oxford School of Drama for three years and then worked for more than 10 years as an actor. I worked for The Lord Chamberlain’s Men in 2007 and 2008 and fell in love with the nature of the work, the audiences and the venues we played at. I took over the company in 2016 and have be running it, very proudly, since then. I have always been enchanted by Shakespeare’s plays and the poetry and love, hopefully, being able to inspire others.

How would you describe The Lord Chamberlain’s Men in 3 words…

Authenticity, Excellence and Magic.

Would love to book tickets then CLICK HERE!