Chester Performs is an innovative arts producer based in Chester. This is our blog.

Without losing the ambience of the great outdoors, we are introducing – new for 2012  -a limited number of covered seats.  75 seats at each performance will now be treated to a little more protection from both sun and rain. You might not feel you need it (we’ve never lost a performance yet.  Chester seems blessed with a summer evening micro-climate..…) but if you’re looking for a extra insurance from on high, these Roman style canopies may well be for you. We’ve modelled our design on the valarium that used to cover the back... Read The Rest →

After weeks of scouring the nation for the best acting talent the country has to offer, we have a cast! Playing Malvolio in both plays (one of 5 characters from Twelfth Night who make a re-appearance in the sequel Masters Are You Mad?) is Matthew Rixon, son of Northwich born Matthew Kelly. Matthew recently starred in Endgame at the Liverpool Everyman with his father. Also joining the cast as Curio is Liverpudlian and former LIPA student Chris Lindon, who recently starred in chester based soapHollyoaks. His theatre credits include Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet at York Theatre Royal. Welsh native Scott Arthur,... Read The Rest →

Geoff Clifton, the chairman of Chester Performs, has been honoured for his contribution to the arts at a ceremony at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester. Twenty-five cultural champions from the North West were honoured for making a significant contribution to the arts through volunteering, business advice or philanthropic giving. Guests at the reception were treated to a recital by Chetham’s students before the Cultural Champions collected a certificate in recognition of their support. Geoff has being instrumental in the development of Chester Performs since its inception in August 2005 and director... Read The Rest →

Chester Performs has announced that this summer’s Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre production of Shakespeare’s much loved comedy Twelfth Night is to be sponsored by Stanlow-based Essar Oil UK.   The announcement came last Monday at a glamorous evening reception held in the Abode Hotel’s Champagne Bar to mark the official launch of the new summer season of high-quality theatre.   Andrew Bentley of Chester Performs has said of the announcement “Having Essar on board as production sponsor is fantastic news and testament to the success of Grosvenor Park Open... Read The Rest →

Another exciting opportunity is up for grabs here at Chester Performs. We are inviting writers aged 16 – 24 years to submit script proposals for a one act play, to be performed in August at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre. We are looking for a 30 – 40 minute prequel to Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. However, what, where and when the action takes place is entirely up to you! Up to five writers will be selected to attend a workshop led by the multi-award winning writer Glyn Maxwell. The session will... Read The Rest →

We have officially unveiled plans to create new covered seating for this summer’s highly anticipated Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre season! The custom made 320-seat wooden structure is set to see an exciting new development with the introduction of a gladiatorial-style canopy over part of the terrace seating. “Now in its third year, the theatre hasreally established itself as a major cultural venue in the North West and is the only full time professional open air theatre company outside London. “The addition of a canopy reflects the needs of a wider audience and... Read The Rest →