Bard in the Yard returns for its seventh year
- Aug 5
- 1 min read
Ilkley Manor House welcomes the return of Bard in the Yard this August, as Ilkley Players stages two miniature Shakespeare productions in the historic courtyard.
Now in its seventh year, the popular collaboration has become a highlight of the Manor House’s late summer programme. This year’s performances are The Merchant of Venice, directed by Dick Hebbert, and Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Andrew Leggott.
Performed in a minimalist style that puts Shakespeare’s language centre stage, the productions take place on Sunday 30 August and Bank Holiday Monday 31 August 2026, from 2pm–4pm, including a 20-minute interval. If the weather is poor, performances will move indoors to Ilkley Playhouse.
Dick Hebbert describes The Merchant of Venice as "flawed, contradictory, human", highlighting its memorable characters and emotional depth, while Andrew Leggott says Much Ado About Nothing combines romance, comedy and memorable characters in "around 40 minutes".
Tickets are £8 (£5 for students with ID) and are available online via TicketTailor or from the Ilkley Manor House Box Office. For more information visit the Ilkley Manor House website.
An additional indoor performance will be staged at Ilkley Playhouse’s Wildman Studio on Saturday 29 August at 7.30pm, tickets are available here.
