Jason and the Argonauts on tour

Off the Ground kicked off their summer of outdoor performances last week with a show at Waterloo Rugby Club, but there's more chances to catch it in the area this week. Jason and the Argonauts is the company’s 19th summer tour, and follows on from last year’s production of Comedy of Errors. “We wanted toy try something a bit different this year,” said director Chris Tomlinson. “This year the cast will be on stage for nearly all of the show and they will be playing a huge range of parts from centaurs to sailors. They’ll also be fighting, singing, playing instruments and building the set so they’re going to have to work cut out over the next couple of months!” One of the main aims of Off the Ground Theatre is to encourage talent from the North West and this year’s cast includes recent graduates from LJMU and UCLAN and older students of OTG Youth Theatre and YEP (Young Everyman Playhouse) gaining their first professional experience. This includes eighteen year old Ben Bridson who has just finished at OTG Youth Theatre a month ago and who will be playing the title role of Jason. The company also wants to attract young audiences so all under 21s can get tickets for £5. After the remaining dates in England and Wales they will be off to perform in Ireland. Catch them this week as part of their grueling schedule at Croxteth Hall (tomorrow night, Wednesday August 6), Lancaster Castle on Thursday (August 7), Ness Botanic Gardens on Friday (August 7), Royden Park, Wirral on Saturday (August 8), and Plas Newydd , Llangollen on Sunday (August 9). Tickets are available by phoning 0151 625 2929, on the night at venues from 1hr before the performance, and online at offtheground.co.uk.