WHERE’S the best place to perform a play set on an allotment?
On an allotment plot, obviously.
That’s where travelling theatre group, Mikron, has been performing its latest production, ‘Beyond The Veil’.
And the Marsden-based company picked a perfect time and place to perform its murder mystery, which is set among the beehives and plots of an allotment.
Mild, dry weather and a view straight to Castle Hill ensured the production at Marten’s Nest Allotments, off Netherton Moor Road, Netherton, pulled in a large and enthusiastic crowd.
Mikron has been playing allotments across the country as well as other regular and less orthodox venues.
Mikron Company Manager Ruth Cataroche said: “I think we’re the only theatre group that does shows in allotments, though we do cafes, gardens and museums too.
“Places like this are naturally beautiful and as the play is about allotments it fits beautifully.
“Outdoor venues are a pleasure to perform at and we’re performing with Castle Hill in the background, so it doesn’t get much better.”
While the sequel to Mikron’s Losing The Plot – also set on an allotment – is a bright and cheery production with gags and tunes galore, it conveys a serious message.
Beyond The Veil, by Deborah McAndrew, teaches viewers about the importance of bees, whose populations have declined so sharply the EU has placed a two-year moratorium on pesticides thought to be responsible for the insects’ decline.
Ms Cataroche, who also plays the vindictive and unhinged Clr Linda Crotty, said the timing of the play has helped generate audiences.
Ms Cataroche said: “It’s very timely with all the stuff about bees in the news.
“It’s also a way of securing audiences if we have something that’s topical.
“We’re also selling seeds for bee-friendly plants and hoping to educate people about this.”
Catch, Beyond The Veil, at The Cider Barn Cafe, New Laithe Farm, Deanhouse, Holmfirth, tomorrow (7.30pm).
