Bard in the Botanics has included Sherlock Holmes: A Scandal in Bohemia in its popular programme of plays this summer.
Announcing details of its 2025 season that is staged in Glasgow Botanic Gardens, the theatre company said it will perform the work by Scottish author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle alongside plays by Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe.
Artistic Director, Gordon Barr, returns to his Bard roots with new productions of the first plays he directed for BITB: A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo and Juliet.
Associate Director, Jennifer Dick, presents a new production of her version of Marlowe’s Dr Faustus and premieres an adaptation of three Conan Doyle stories in Sherlock Holmes: A Scandal in Bohemia.
Season
The Magic, Mayhem and Murder season opens on 27 June 2025 (previews on 25 and 26 June) with a new mainstage production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
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Core company members Stephen Arden, James Boal, Adam Donaldson, Claire Mcallister, Alan Steele and Sam Stopford return for the 2025 season.
Announcing the programme Artistic Director, Gordon Barr, recalled his early work with Bard in the Botanics.
“In my first two years with Bard in the Botanics almost 25 years ago I was delighted to be able to direct two of my favourite Shakespeare plays: A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo and Juliet.
“Those shows sparked a life-long love of Shakespeare - his plays have such an incredible depth that no matter how often you return to them there is always more to discover and it is a great pleasure to revisit these two plays for the 2025 season with more than two decades of experience under my belt!”
In my first two years with Bard in the Botanics almost 25 years ago I was delighted to be able to direct two of my favourite Shakespeare plays: A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo and Juliet - Gordon Barr
“Whilst Shakespeare remains at the heart of Bard in the Botanics, as we continue to explore more of the canon of classic drama and literature, it’s exciting to bring the work of another Scottish author to our stages – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
“His Sherlock Holmes stories have delighted generations of readers and I can’t wait for our Associate Director, Jennifer Dick, to bring three of those stories to life in the Kibble Palace in a brand new play featuring the world’s foremost consulting detective.
“This season is full of great stories – some of the best and most enduring stories ever told. From the iconic lovers of Romeo and Juliet to Faustus’ pact with the devil to the thrilling adventures of Sherlock Holmes, there’s really something for everyone in this year’s programme.
“Whether you’re looking for comedy, romance – or even a spot of grisly murder – Bard in the Botanics has you covered in 2025.”
Listings
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
27 June – 12 July at 7.30pm (previews 25 and 26 June / no performances Sundays and Mondays)
Main Stage, Botanic Gardens, Great Western Road, Glasgow, G12
Tickets: £28, £21 (Disabled / Student / Unemployed), £15 (Under 18s, Equity / BECTU / SSP members)
Previews and Discount Tuesdays – all tickets £19
Young lovers, a troupe of amateur actors, and even the King & Queen of the Faeries find themselves tangled up in a web of love and desire in this new production directed by Gordon Barr, which features CATS nominated actor, Alan Steele, as the weaver Nick Bottom
Further and information and to book online visit: www.bardinthebotanics.co.uk
Doctor Faustus
27 June – 12 July (preview 26 June) at 8pm (no performances Sundays and Mondays)
Kibble Palace, Botanic Gardens, Great Western Road, Glasgow, G12
By Christopher Marlowe, adapted by Jennifer Dick
Tickets: £28; £21 (Disabled / Student / Unemployed); £15 (Under 18s, Equity / BECTU / SSP members)
Previews and Discount Tuesdays – all tickets £19
Christoper Marlowe’s epic drama, adapted for three actors, plays out in the intimate surroundings of the Kibble Palace glasshouse. Jennifer Dick directs this new production of her adaptation, which asks the ultimate question: What is the price of your soul?
Further and information and to book online visit: www.bardinthebotanics.co.uk
Romeo and Juliet
18 July – 2 August 2025 at 7.30pm (Preview on 17 July, no performances Sundays/Mondays)
Main Stage, Botanic Gardens, Great Western Road, Glasgow, G12
Tickets: £28, £21 (Disabled / Student / Unemployed), £15 (Under 18s, Equity / BECTU / SSP members)
Previews and Discount Tuesdays – all tickets £19
Two young people meet and fall in love. It should be simple, but Romeo is a Montague and Juliet is a Capulet, and the ancient grudge between their two families threatens to ignite again and destroy them both. Rising star of Scottish Theatre, Sam Stopford, is Romeo with Lola Aluko as Juliet in this 5-hander production directed by Gordon Barr.
Further and information and to book online visit: www.bardinthebotanics.co.uk
SHERLOCK HOLMES: A Scandal in Bohemia
18 July – 2 August 2025 at 8pm (Preview on 17 July, no performances Sundays/Mondays)
Kibble Palace, Botanic Gardens, Great Western Road, Glasgow, G12
By Jennifer Dick Based on the stories of Arthur Conan Doyle
Tickets: £28, £21 (Disabled / Student / Unemployed), £15 (Under 18s, Equity / BECTU / SSP members)
Previews and Discount Tuesdays – all tickets £19
Whodunnits are Holmes’ bread and butter, but this particular case introduces him to “The Woman” – Irene Adler, and it won’t be the last time she taxes his spectacular powers of deduction. This four-hander production, adapted and directed by Jennifer Dick features Adam Donaldson as Sherlock Holmes with Stephen Arden as Dr Watson.
Further and information and to book online visit: www.bardinthebotanics.co.uk
