A punk rocker who fell in love with Shakespeare is putting on an array of musical and theatre shows in Bromley’s stunning amphitheatre.


Mike Fox has organised five wonderfully different outdoor performances to bring a touch of magic to Bromley town centre this summer.


From A Midsummer Night’s Dream to a Fleetwood Mac tribute band, there is something to suit all tastes.


Mike, who runs the comedy club at The Churchill Theatre, told News Shopper: “The amphitheatre is just a beautiful place.


“It’s designed for Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.


“When I first moved to Bromley I thought ‘I’ve got to put it on here at some point.’


“That was my dream, apart from doing comedy.”


Mike first managed to hold fulfil his Shakespearian ambitions in the summer of 2010 when one of his contacts happened to be touring the show around the UK and agreed to stop off at the amphitheatre.

 


He added: “We pulled it off and I thought ‘next year we can add different shows.’
“We’ve got Rolling Stones and Fleetwood Mac tributes.


“It’s really theatrical – not just five baldies playing songs.


“Apparently Keith Richards’ mum can’t tell the difference between him and the guy who plays Keith in Rolling Stoned.”


The programme kicks off with Rolling Stoned on August 10 and ends with the Proms in the Park fireworks finale on August 19.


A Midsummer Night’s Dream will play out on August 11 and Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest is being shown on August 12.


Mike said: “It’s quite strange how I got into Shakespeare – I was a punk rocker and I used to hate it.


“My mate Dave went to see it in Regent’s Park.


“He said ‘you can take a bottle of wine and just relax and let the language wash over you.’


“So I went to see it and it was exactly that.


“It’s like poetry and you can just lose yourself in it - I became hooked.”


Mike says the amphitheatre, located behind The Churchill, was perfect for the play.


He told us: “It’s set overlooking a lake, tall trees and with candles out it just looks gorgeous.


“It’s such a pleasure to put this play on – it looks beautiful.”


Proms in the Park showcases the talents of The Kent Sinfonia.


The foremost professional orchestra for Kent, many of its members play with major London orchestras like the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.


Kent Sinfonia is set to deliver a wonderful evening of familiar and well-loved music, including
Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, Elgar’s Nimrod and music by Vivaldi, Rossini, Strauss and others accompanied by a stunning finale of fireworks.


A selection of drinks and food will also be on sale.


Tickets to the shows range from £17.50 to £25.25.


Visit atgtickets.com