I recently had the absolute pleasure of attending “Much Ado About Nothing”, a production of Shakespeare Frankfurt in the Botanical Gardens. Indeed, the tradition of performing Shakespeare in outdoor settings dates back centuries, with the original Globe Theatre in London often performing plays under the open sky. Much to our delight, Shakespeare Frankfurt has embraced this tradition! And each summer, the Frankfurt Botanical Gardens becomes the stage for a remarkable series of performances.
Shakespeare Frankfurt: The Experience
Honestly, the experience exceeded my expectations. On arrival, we are guided to a small pergola positioned in front of a beautiful pond. In the background, an old gramophone played old classics, immediately transporting you back to another era. Also, I had anticipated a stationary performance confined to one location. But to my surprise and delight, we were led through the botanical gardens to encounter various scenes at different locations across the grounds.
Furthermore, I brought along my 12-year-old son, who had initially suggested we might leave at the intermission. However, he was so engrossed during the show that leaving never crossed his mind again. In fact, he was eagerly leading the group to be the first to reach the next scene. Admittedly, my son loves theatre and all it has to offer. However, this experience left him with a newfound appreciation for the arts, and as we left the gardens, he asked when we could attend another performance.
The actors were fantastic, bringing Shakespeare’s words to life with an energy that captivated both young and old. Each scene was set against the natural beauty of the gardens with minimal props, reminding us of how timeless the themes Shakespeare explored are.
About the Location: Frankfurt Botanical Gardens
It is important to note that the performance of Shakespeare Frankfurt is located in The Frankfurt Botanical Gardens. And, one should not confuse the Frankfurt Botanical Gardens with The Palmengarten. It’s very easy to do (count us amongst those who have) as both are located on Siesmayerstrasse.
Undoubtedly, Shakespeare Frankfurt is onto something with its location selection! Prior to attending their performance, I had no idea that these Botanical Gardens existed. If you are unable to attend one of the wonderful Shakespeare in Frankfurt performances, do yourself a favour and visit the gardens; they are exquisite! Furthermore, entry is free!
What to Bring
- Comfortable Clothing: Dress in layers to accommodate the changing temperatures throughout the evening.
- Picnic Supplies: If you tend to get peckish, bringing snacks is advisable as there is nowhere to buy drinks or snacks before or during the performance. However, be mindful that since performances are after the Botanical Garden has closed for the evening, you are asked to dispose of your rubbish outside the garden to avoid attracting “little critters”.
Good to know:
- Filming and photo taking are not permitted during the performance (I learnt the hard way, having lugged all my camera equipment with me)
- As previously mentioned, it is further along the road in the Frankfurt City Botanical Gardens, not the Palmengarten.
- Shakespeare in Frankfurt does provide a small snack (fruit or pretzel) along with a drink free of charge during the intermission. However, there is a “gratitude box”, so have a little cash with you.
- For more of their upcoming performances, check their website
- Also, important to note, not all Shakespeare Frankfurt performances are outdoors in the Botanical Gardens