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‘In one fell swoop’ (Macbeth) Huntingdon Shakespeare theatre group finds Buckden has ‘a heart of gold’ (Henry V)
Shakespeare at the Towers is their new name
Shakespeare is on the move – after being performed at the George Hotel in Huntingdon since 1959, the theatre group is moving 4 miles down the road to Buckden Towers. The new home for ‘Shakespeare at the George’ was revealed today as well a name change.
“To celebrate the move, we’ll be renaming ourselves ‘Shakespeare at the Towers’ to better reflect the partnership and the new location,” said a theatre spokesperson.
Open air Shakespeare in Huntingdonshire needed a new home after the trustees at ‘Shakespeare at the George’ were told the Huntingdon pub was terminating their contract.
“With roots in the 11th century, Buckden Towers (formerly known as Buckden Palace) was originally the home of the bishops of Lincoln and has recorded many momentous historical events in its history, including serving as a post-marital residence for Katherine of Aragon,” said the theatre spokesperson.
The 15-acre estate is now the private property of the Claretian Missionaries and in use as a retreat and conference centre.
“As many of you know, we’ve been actively looking for a new home ever since we were told that The George wouldn’t be renewing our contract back in March,” said the spokesperson.
“As part of that process, we visited a number of potential locations in Huntingdon itself as well as properties further afield including Brampton and Keyston.
Home to Shakespeare at The George since 1959 (right) it will be, going forward, ‘Shakespeare at the Towers’ in Buckden.
“Throughout the process, we knew that the venue we chose had to have the same ‘wow’ factor that we were able to offer audiences when we performed in the courtyard of an old Jacobean coaching inn.”
The group says Buckden Towers has its own fascinating history and “offers an equally immersive theatre-going experience within an authentic historical setting”.
The spokesperson said Buckden Towers was one of the first venues to get in touch when they announced we were no longer able to perform at The George Hotel.
“Their desire to form a genuinely collaborative partnership suggests a very fruitful long-term future for the company – as well as a continued presence in the wider Huntingdon community,” said the spokesperson.
First production at Buckden Towers will be Twelfth Night, directed by Chris Avery, running from Tuesday 24th June to Saturday 5th July 2025.
Further details will follow.
Reuben Milne, chair of the trustees of the theatre group, said the first performance at the The George in 1959 was Taming of the Shrew.
“Greene King, the owners of the George Hotel, have taken the decision to terminate our contract after this year’s production which means that after putting on 563 performances in front of over 75,000 people since 1959.”
The George says the contract was terminated “due to other events and commitments”.
Their spokesperson told the BBC: “This is not a decision that we have taken lightly, and we know that this will be disappointing for those who have attended the productions.”
