A Wirral farm to host outdoor production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night performed by the Illyria touring theatre company to raise money for homelessness charity Shelter. Tony McDonough reports

Claremont Farm in Wirral will host an outdoor production of William Shakespeare’s comedy Twelfth Night later this month to raise money for charity.

Touring theatre company Illyria will perform the play at the farm which is located in Bebington. Taking place on Tuesday, June 27, it will raise funds for housing and homelessness charity Shelter.

It promises to be an evening of “romance, music and sheer joys”. Performance starts at 7pm allowing ticket holders to settle down and watch this classic romantic comedy as the sun goes down. 

This will help to support Shelter’s frontline services to continue providing free and expert help to thousands of people facing homelessness, as well helping the charity to campaign for lasting change. 

According to Government figures, from October to December 2022, there were 6,900 homeless households in temporary accommodation in the North West, with 7,530 children living in those households.

Pauline Cox, regional community fundraiser for Shelter Merseyside, said: “This special outdoor performance of Twelfth Night is set to be a spectacular evening.

“By coming along the community can enjoy a night of original Shakespearean comedy in the open air, while helping Shelter to continue to be there for people who don’t have anywhere safe to call home.

“Thousands of people in the North West are homeless, many are families with children. Shelter’s work to fight the housing emergency, and provide practical help and advice to people, is vital.

“Our emergency helpline is open 365 days a year so that no-one has to face homelessness alone – but we cannot continue to do this without the amazing support of the public and our partners. 

“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who buys a ticket and comes along to this event, and we can’t thank Claremont Farm enough for their support in making this dazzling night of theatre possible.”

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Twelfth Night tells the story of Viola, washed-up in Illyria following a shipwreck, where her only chance for survival is to make use of her quick wit and fine singing voice, disguising herself as a man and applying to work in the court of Duke Orsino.

Ticket holders must bring their own chair and dress for the weather as the show will continue in all but the very worst conditions. Dough Bros wood fired pizza and a cash bar are available on site at Claremont Farm.

Gates open at 6pm and the show starts promptly at 7pm with a running time of two hours 20 minutes including an interval. Tickets are £19.50 adult, and £11 child and are available at www.sheltermerseyside.org.uk