Open air theatre company in Yorkshire, Sprite Productions

About Sprite Productions

Welcome to Sprite Productions.

Sprite was set up by Hester and Liam Evans-Ford in 2004.

Liam and I met in 2002 whilst working as actors for the Royal Shakespeare company. Both of us have continued to work in the business in between getting married and having "little Sprites".

The life of a young actor living in London was idyllic and full of possibilities so whilst relaxing on a hot summers day in Battersea Park we began discussing the possibilities of Open Air Shakespeare and how great it would be to leave London during the summer months and return in the Autumn and carry on working, great plan and I knew just the venue - Ripley Castle.

Having grown up in Ripley and my parents still living out side the village I convinced Liam to visit the grounds on a cold winters day and immediately he saw the potential but we couldn’t find an exact space to place the stage..... problem....? no way, the grounds are so beautiful that it simply could only be done in Promenade around the gardens and most excitingly the Woods. So in 2004 "Sprite" was born. We had a huge network of friends and set the company up as bit of a retreat for them- those actors who weren’t working in the summer could come to Yorkshire and have a blast for six weeks working in the beautiful surroundings of Ripley castle.

Our first production was A Midsummer’s Night Dream- Actors and audience had a wonderful time and we haven’t looked back. We have gone from strength to strength, as have our actors! Now no longer new drama graduates they all have a wealth of experience and fantastic credits behind them. Many of our core crew have worked at the RSC, National Theatre , West End- you name they have done it. With their experience we now attract some of the best directors and crew, our lighting technician comes directly from the National Theatre as does this years Director.

We love running Sprite and every year it provides us with hard work, excitement and delight. After a frantic rehearsal period there is nothing quite like the first night to set your heart alight as the players and audience live the play as one. A Sprite experience really is one not to be missed and any Shakespeare sceptic will fall in love with the wonderful Bard after seeing a Sprite Production.

We can’t wait to see new and old audience members for this years show and keep your eyes peeled for me - I am the pregnant one on the bench!

Best Wishes to you all

Hester