Looking for Lorna

February 2, 2017

98f543_c03eafe99ffe401089e690211644b68c Pleasure Dome Theatre are back in the summer of 2017 after the success of their critically acclaimed production of Macbeth in The Valley of the Rocks. This year they are turning their attention to the story that runs through the heart of Exmoor: Lorna Doone.

Helen Payne, Creative Director of Pleasure Dome Theatre said: “What could

Helena Payne, Creative Director

be more compelling than experiencing this timeless tale of love and loss immersed in the environment that inspired it? To help bring R.D.Blackmore’s vision to life we are recruiting local talent to swell the ranks of our professional cast.”

All ages, abilities and levels of experience are encouraged to attend the open auditions on 15^th and 16^th of April at Lynton Town Hall. There will be four sessions: 15^th-10:00-1:00 and 3:00-6:00 and 16^th-10:00-1:00 and 3:00-6:00.

Please only apply if you have good availability for the run August 29^th-September 2^nd and the preceding three weeks rehearsal. The audition will comprise of: an introduction to the team and the project, some drama games to get everyone working as an ensemble, some text work and scenes that will be workshopped with the director Scott Le Crass.

“Please arrive in good time to register before the sessions begin. We’re really looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible. Kindly RSVP with your preferred session to pleasuredometheatre@gmail.com,” Helena added.

For further information, please contact Elke Winzer, Tel 07881 504863 or elke@cultureline.co.uk

5 things to do in Lynton & Lynmouth this Summer

July 7, 2016

The twin towns of Lynton & Lynmouth are in the middle of the rugged Exmoor coastline with Lynton 500 feet above Lynmouth and the two towns connected by a cliff funicular railway. Five reasons to visit Lynton & Lynmouth this summer include open air Macbeth, the most scenic of Devon cream teas, a new arts trail, scenery that influenced the Romantic Poets and riding a water powered funicular.

See Macbeth in the Valley of the Rocks

New for this summer is the Pleasure Dome Theatre, an open-air theatre set in the dramatic and beautiful scenery of The Valley of The Rocks near Lynton. The Pleasure Dome Theatre are an artistic collective with the aim of using the natural landscape of the area to make Exmoor a cultural destination as well as a tourist hub. Their first performance is Macbeth which will be running from August 2^nd until the 20^th.

Enjoy a scenic Cream Tea at Watersmeet

The National Trust’s Watersmeet House is a 19th century fishing lodge with a beautiful Edwardian tea garden. Living up to its name, Watersmeet is where the East Lyn and Hoar Oak Water meet and cream teas can be enjoyed overlooking the rivers and spotting herons and dippers. Watersmeet is also located along some of Exmoor’s best walking and so makes a great spot for a mid-hike rest.

Indulge in Exmoor culture on the Arts Trail

Exmoor Arts Trail is a new concept which makes it easy for people to engage with art, craft and photography on and around Exmoor. Through-out the year visitors to Exmoor can use a web page with a clickable map that shows participating venues on the Trail including art and craft shops and galleries, eateries which have art on the walls, art and craft workshop venues and artists and artisans with studios which are open to the public.

Take a ride on a water powered funicular

No trip to the towns of Lynton and Lynmouth would be complete without a trip on the water powered Cliff Railway, formed through an Act of Parliament in 1888 which gave perpetual right to extract up to 60,000 gallons of water a day. The funicular is an exciting way to travel between these two historic towns. Enjoy stunning views of the North Devon Coastline as you glide up and down the 862-foot length of track from Lynmouth nestling at the foot of the cliffs to Lynton perched 500 feet above.

Channel your internal Romantic poet on the Coleridge Way

Walk up to 51 miles through the stunning Somerset countryside of the Quantock Hills, the Brendon Hills and Exmoor, a landscape that inspired Coleridge to produce some of his best known work. At Lynmouth the path links with the South West Coast Path National Trail. A delightful 30-mile circular walk can be made by walking from Porlock on the Coleridge Way to Lynmouth and returning along the coast path.

For more information on Lynton and Lynmouth visit http://www.visit-exmoor.co.uk

Macbeth in the Valley of Rocks

June 29, 2016

Exmoor theatre company, Pleasure Dome, are set to be the first to stage an open air theatre production at the Valley of the Rocks near Lynton. In order to fund the production, Pleasure Dome have launched a crowdfunding campaign and so are calling upon the support of the local community.

This summer, Pleasure Dome Theatre Company, will bring open-air entertainment to both the community and holiday makers alike, by staging a production of Macbeth to mark the year of Shakespeare’s 400th birthday. This production will be the start of a seasonal programme of outdoor entertainment consisting of classical theatre, opera and modern productions situated in the stunning surroundings of the Valley of the Rocks.

“We are an artistic collective who aim to utilise the dramatic and beautiful scenery of The Valley of The Rocks near Lynton, making Exmoor a cultural destination as well as a tourist hub. We provide outreach programmes and will offer local opportunities to work within a professional company to aspiring youngsters and enthusiastic older members of the locale alike.”

“I decided to found Pleasure Dome in 2015 after a lifetime of thinking someone should do some theatre at The Valley of the Rocks. I spent my early summers scrambling up and down it’s weaving pathways and peering out to sea. I always thought it was an otherworldly and magical location, somewhere not quite of this planet, a place where the sea meets the sky, a place where imagination meets reality, and I can think of nowhere more fitting to perform in. ”
Helena Payne

To buy tickets to Macbeth, or to become a patron of the company, visit http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/new-open-air-theatre-in-the-valley-of-the-rocks

To find out more about the production and the cast, please go to www.pleasuredometheatrecompany.com

Macbeth will run from the 2nd-20th of August at 7:30 (with no show on Mondays) and 3:00 Sunday matinees.