CQ Saturdays Street Theatre Brings Edwardian Style to Derby Cathedral Quarter
Members of Derby-based Ashrow Theatre Company will return to the Cathedral Quarter on Saturday June 27 for the second act of CQ Saturdays Street Theatre summer programme.
Actors in Edwardian costumes will perform specially-adapted snapshots of the Company’s recent acclaimed production, Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ in the Cathedral Quarter streets. They will also engage and interact with visitors – staying in character to talk about some of the area’s important landmarks and places of interest.
Held on the fourth Saturday of every month throughout the area between 11am and 3pm, CQ Saturdays Street Theatre is the latest addition to the popular weekly programme of free entertainment in the Cathedral Quarter.
Other CQ Saturdays events include CQ Saturdays Street Circus, a teaser for Derby Festé and held on the second Saturday of the month; CQ Saturdays Knickerbocker Glorious, featuring live family entertainment, and Handcrafted at the Cathedral Quarter, an artisan arts and crafts market, both of which are held on the third Saturday of each month.
Actress and company director Rowan Scarborough, who set up Ashrow Theatre in 2011, will play the role of Gwendolen Fairfax from the popular play with fellow actors Stuart Marno as Jack and Ernest and Rebecca Holmes as Cecily Cardew.
Rowan explained: “We had a fantastic response from visitors to the Cathedral Quarter for the first CQ Saturdays Street Theatre last month.
“The businesses loved it and the children in particular were fascinated by the costumes.
“The Cathedral Quarter is the perfect setting for this innovative approach to street theatre.
“As well as performing five-minute adapted scenes from the play, we stay in character to talk to passers-by and tell them about different buildings and Edwardian life in Derby.
“So, as well as telling this popular story, we will be bringing history to life in the area in a fun and entertaining way.”
Paul Hurst is vice chair of the Cathedral Quarter Management Group, which drives forward activities under the area’s Business Improvement District status.
He said: “This is something new and innovative for Derby and a wonderful opportunity to experience the Cathedral Quarter through the eyes of these Edwardian characters.
“The particular appeal of the street theatre is the mobility of the performances. The actors move around the area and draw visitors with them - encouraging people to explore more of the Cathedral Quarter’s hidden gems.
“There is something happening almost every Saturday in the Cathedral Quarter under the CQ Saturdays street entertainment programme which is proving popular with businesses and visitors alike.”
Information about CQ Saturdays Street Theatre and all the events in the Cathedral Quarter are available at www.derbycathedralquarter.co.uk; on Twitter @DerbyCQ and Facebook CathedralQuarterDerby