Open air play set for Solitude Park

More than 1,000 unique sporting and cultural initiatives will be taking place in the UK over the London 2012 Open Weekend which is supported by BP, and an open-air theatrical production of Jane Austen’s celebrated literary classic is just one of them.

Adapted by Laura Turner and performed by Chapterhouse Theatre Company - one of the most acclaimed touring theatre companies in the UK - this free event will bring to life the story of the Dashwood sisters who must make their first forays into the excitingly decadent world of eighteenth-century society.

Council Arts and Events Officer, Leah Duncan, said: “It is great to be part of the Open Weekend and we would really encourage people of all ages to come along and support this event and all other activities leading up to the London 2012 Olympics.”

Pat Mulligan, Chair of Banbridge District Arts Committee added: “Last year’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’ event was a resounding success and received great support from the local community. We are hoping to have a similar if not greater turnout this year for the ‘Sense & Sensibility’ production.”

London 2012 Organising Committee Chair Sebastian Coe wants people to support their local event and be part of the nationwide celebration. He said: “This is the fourth year of Open Weekend and this year we’re focusing on celebrating the ‘One Year to Go’ countdown to the London 2012 Games. We want to help communities across the country experience the best of British sporting, artistic and cultural talents.”

Open Weekend 2011 follows the success of the past three previous years, in which over 2.4 million people across the UK unleashed their creativity across a series of sporting, art and cultural activities in celebration of the countdown to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

The ‘Sense & Sensibility’ outdoor theatre joins hundreds of other Open Weekend events and projects – ranging from an outdoor screening of the Tate Movie Project’s ‘The Itch of the Golden Nit!’ in Trafalgar Square to a celebration of Jamaican culture in the centre of Birmingham.

Details about each event can be found at www.london2012.com/openweekend