Come with Off the Ground Theatre this summer, as they embark on one of the greatest adventures ever told. Join Sinbad and the crew of the Menkar, as they seek for the legendary Solomon’s Reef, and with it all the lost treasures of the Earth. Be warned – it is said that only an honest man can reach the Reef, and this is Sinbad like you’ve never seen it before – Up against the elements and the fates themselves, our heroes are shipwrecked on a whale, almost eaten by an ogre, attacked by giant birds of prey and captured by cannibals. It’s a true family adventure, and not one to miss.
This version of Sinbad is an original adaptation by novelist, and OTG graduate, Connor Wray. Connor also wrote Zorro, which toured in 2016. It is inspired by the original Sinbad stories from 1001 Arabian Nights, but has been updated to suit a modern audience. At its heart, it is an adventure story, something which Connor was keen to put across: “The Sinbad stories are interesting, because everybody has heard of the characters, and most people can pick out one or two moments from the voyages, but I think the sheer scale of the adventure has dropped out of modern appreciation. Hopefully we can bring the story back into people’s minds with this production.”
Off the Ground was founded in 1994, and, alongside their many other annual productions; have been taking outdoor shows on tours of the U.K. and wider Europe for over 20 years. Based on the Wirral, these summer productions have varied wildly, from Shakespeare to Terry Pratchett, from Midsummer Night’s Dream to Musketeers. Year on year the company has become more and more ambitious, working with new writers, actors and directors to tell new stories to growing audiences. Recent touring shows include Around the World in Eighty Days, Zorro and Musketeers. Sinbad promises to deliver more of the same swashbuckling action, romance and adventure that these productions dealt out in abundance.
The past year for Off the Ground has been one of creating new work, as well as performing classic scripts. The year began with a spectacular Hallowe’en parade through Liverpool city centre, as part of the Lantern Festival. At Christmas time OTG were invited to Gordale Garden Centre, to put together a Disney-themed Christmas extravaganza for the launch of their Christmas charity grotto. Much-loved Disney characters came together and gate-crashed each other’s stories in a truly whacky weekend of fun.
After this, it was on to issues far more sensible, delivered in a no less surreal setting, as Off the Ground Youth Theatre’s youngest group took on a challenging, minimalist production of Orwell’s Animal Farm. To top off the season, the eldest youth group performed Hamlet, swapping the ponderous eponymous hero for an aggressive, action-led lead, performing for the first time ever at Oh Me Oh My in Liverpool.
Off the Ground Theatre prides itself on getting as many young people involved with theatre and the arts as possible, and this year is no different. Artistic Director Dan Meigh said, “The beauty of this year’s production is it’s almost a new-generation tour for the company. It’s such a young and energetic cast, with new directors and new producers, and I expect to see a real development in what this company can achieve. It’s really exciting.”
The new director comes in the form of Ellie Hurt, who has graduated from the Liverpool Everyman’s Young Director’s Scheme and who has gone on to produce her own, highly inventive work. Ellie has been Assistant Director on the past three OTG touring productions and will take the driver’s seat this year. “I just can’t wait to get started. We have an incredible cast with so many talents and so much energy – and they’re going to need it with the amount they’ll have to do! It’ll be great to see what this group do with this exciting show.”
Tickets are priced at £15 for adults, £12 for concessions and £5 for the under 21s. Tickets for all shows are available on the night or from www.offtheground.co.uk. For venues, including Tatton Park in Knutsford on July 26th, Birkenhead Priory on July 27th and Claremont Farm on the Wirral on July 29th, go to the theatre’s website or go to facebook on www.facebook.com/offthegroundtheatre.