A pop-up theatre is to be erected in the archaeological site Sutton Hoo in summer 2022.
The Suffolk theatre company Red Rose Chain will establish the theatre in the Anglo-Saxon burial site near Woodbridge.
The company will present Macbeth at their Theatre in the Forest showcase. They will partner with the National Trust to operate the venue between July and August 2022.
Sutton Hoo was reopened by The National Trust in 2019 after a £4m revamp. It is known for the discovery of a treasure-filled ship burial in 1939.
The London 2012 Olympics video creators 59 Productions will help to design the venue. The production company is also known for its work on the award-winning War Horse, the David Bowie Is exhibition, as well as New York’s Met Ball.
Their co-founder Mark Griffiths is originally from Suffolk and was a member of Red Rose Chain’s youth theatre.
Joanna Carrick, Red Rose Chain’s artistic director said: “It means the world to us to be working with 59 Productions on the launch of a new era for Theatre in the Forest.
“We are so proud of everything Mark has achieved.”
Founded in 1990, Red Rose Chain has run open-air Shakespeare for over 20 years. The theatre company typically run their productions at Jimmy’s Farm.
The new theatre’s design will be revealed on 31 July in a 21st anniversary live stream.
Words by Amelia Hansford
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Image Credit: “Sutton Hoo Burial Site” by alexhealing is licensed under CC BY 2.0