The HandleBards : As You Like It – 11th September 2026
11th September 2026 @ 7pm
Pedalling from venue to venue with all of their set, props and costumes on the back of their bikes, the HandleBards are a four-strong troupe of actors who are spending the summer bringing environmentally sustainable Shakespeare to venues across the UK.
Join the troupe at Blackhorse Workshop for a fantastically funny bicycle-powered production of Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like It’.
What’s the play about? Well – Rosalind and her cousin Celia flee to the Forest of Arden, where they bump into Rosalind’s love interest Orlando. However, Rosalind is disguised as a young man. Cue some local Shepherds getting involved and the stage is set for a wild ride of wooing, hilarious mistaken identity and the odd wrestling match.
This is an outdoor production, so please bring a chair or blanket to sit on, a picnic to dig into, and dress for the weather!
Praise for previous HandleBards performances…
★★★★★ – “Explodes with energy and is a genuine treat from start to finish.” – The Stage
★★★★★ – “Five stars just don’t seem enough…” – The Sunderland Echo
Notes on Performance
– Doors open at 6pm, so bring a picnic and come and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
– Seating isn’t provided by the venue so please make sure to bring your own – chairs, picnics, blankets and any other low-backed accessories are welcome.
– In case of rain, please don’t bring umbrellas as they block sight-lines for other audience members. Ponchos and raincoats are just as fetching, so please wear these instead.
– This is an outdoors performance and surfaces may be uneven – if you have any access related questions ahead of the performance please get in touch!
Important Ticket Conditions – Please Read
– Under 5’s are free – no ticket needed.
– Tickets will also be available to purchase on the day at the venue for £21 each, subject to availability. If the show sells out in advance then tickets may not be available on the door so early booking is encouraged!
– You can bring your tickets digitally, on a phone or tablet, so save the trees and please don’t print them.