Productions

2009 - Macbeth

This was the first time that the players had presented one of Shakespeare's major tragedies and marked the Hillbark directing debut of Nick Sample.

2007 - as you like it

Hillbark Players first performed 'As You Like It' in 1982, in the grounds of Hillbark House. This was the Players 21st production. It had first been presented in 1982.

2005 - The taming of the shrew

The Shrew marked the directorial debut of Frank Nance, an experienced director and former Hillbark Player. Hillbark Players first performed this play in 1966.
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2003 - the comedy of errors

A popular choice, this was also presented in 1976 when the Players re-formed after an 8 year absence.
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2001 - a midsummer night's dream

Midsummer Night's Dream is probably the best known of all Shakespeare's plays and is always guaranteed a full house. This production was no exception. It was first performed by the Players in 1978 and later in 2019.
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1998 - the winter's tale

This play marked the directorial debut of Bob Forrester, a very experienced local Director and former Hillbark Player.
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1996 - twelfth night

Hillbark Players returned to Royden Park after 2 productions 'on the road'. Although not in the grounds of the House, it was on the site of its old tennis courts, now part of Royden Park. The play was also performed in 1968.
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1994 - romeo and juliet

Romeo and Juliet was the second play to be presented at Poulton Hall and was directed by Malcolm Ash - his 5th production with the Players. It was also staged in 1965.
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1992 - the merry wives of windsor

After the closure of Hillbark House, the Players were invited to present their 1992 production in the grounds of Poulton Hall, which had presented open-airShakespeare in the 1950's and were the fore-runners of Hillbark Players. It had previously been performed in 1967 and was subsequently staged in 2011.
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1990 - much ado about nothing

This was the final play to be performed in the grounds of Hillbark House before its closure. It was also presented as the very first Hillbark Players production in 1964.
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1988 - the tempest

The Tempest was directed the fourth play to be directed by Malcolm Ash.
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1986 - the merchant of venice

Henry McDowell directed this version of The Merchant of Venice - it was his second production for the Players.
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1984 - love's labours lost

Patrick Gee directed this production of Love's Labours Lost - his third production for the Players.
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1982 - as you like it

This was the first time the Players had presented As You Like It and at the end of the opening night, Orlando announced to the audience that Prince William, a future King, had been born. It was also performed in 2007.
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1980 - two gentlemen of verona

This production is famous for its bright coloured plastic costumes and Dutch barrel organ music.
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1978 - a midsummer night's dream

This is the first time the Players presented the ever-popular 'Dream', another production from Director Patrick Gee. It was also staged in 2001 and then in 2019.
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1976 - the comedy of errors

Due to the efforts of Eric Murch, Hillbark Players re-formed for this production, after a gap of 8 years. This was Patrick Gee's first Hillbark production and coincided with the start of the famous 1976 heatwave. It was subsequently presented in 2003.
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1968 - twelfth night

Bill Shaw was the Director of this production. The problems of presenting an annual open-air event proved too much and the Players went into hibernation for 8 years. It was subsequently staged in 1996.
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1967 - the merry wives of windsor

This is the first time the Players presented the tale of Sir John Falstaff in love. It was directed by June Lancelyn-Green. It has also been presented in 1992 and in 2011.
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1966 - the taming of the shrew

Malcolm Ash directed his second Hillbark Players production. It was subsequently staged in 2005
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1965 - romeo and juliet

Ursula Collins was the director for this version of 'Romeo and Juliet'. It was also presented in 1994.
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1964 - much ado about nothing

This was the very first production of the newly-formed Hillbark Players and was presented to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's birth. It was also staged in 1990.
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Poulton Hall has been the home of the Lancelyn Green family for over 900 years and in June 1960 an open-air production of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' was presented in the grounds, in aid of the local Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. It was a resounding success.
The ad-hoc group had previously presented Henry V in 1956. The inspiration behind the venture were Roger and June Lancelyn-Green, the owners of Poulton Hall.

Appearing in the 1960 production was Tom Gittins, who was later inspired to set up Hillbark Players, in conjunction with Malcolm Ash.
Although not a Hillbark Players production, this production is included in our website, as a tribute to those who had the vision to believe that the people of Wirral would be interested in high quality open-air Shakespeare.

1960 - a midsummer night's dream

The fore-runners of Hillbark Players presented the Dream at Poulton Hall in the summer of 1960.
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1956 - HENRY V

The fore-runners of Hillbark Players presented Henry V in Birkenhead Tech College in 1956.