WINNERS OF 2012 FRINGE REPORT AWARDS - BEST SHAKESPEARE PRODUCERS

Rooftop Theatre Company use professionally trained actors to present lively and accessible productions that clearly communicate the story, the drama and the comedy in an entertaining way. We look for alternative, unusual and appealing venues with dramatic opportunities and tailor the production to complement them. With particular experience in open-air theatre we aim to make sure the actors' voices are clear, the story is told and the audience enjoy the experience!

Rooftop's first St Albans venue was Inn on the Park in Verulamium Park where we put on enjoyable and acclaimed productions of Love's Labours Lost in 2007 and The Taming of the Shrew at 2008. Then we moved indoors for a winter production of Twelfth Night at the Town Hall. We returned to Inn on the Park for The Winter's Tale in July 2010 and with our best audience yet for Much Ado About Nothing in 2011.

The name of the company comes from our very first productions, written and directed by George Pensotti, which took place on the roof of the old City Lit building in Stukeley Street, London from 2000 to 2002. RTC then moved to North London and put on acclaimed open-air productions of Midsummer Night's Dream and The Comedy of Errors at The Old Paddling Pool, Queen's Wood, Highgate.

George Pensotti 1937 to 2010

A very special man who inspired numerous people and who devised and directed the first three Rooftop productions. He encouraged and supported our journey into Shakespeare and was much loved for his humour and honesty!

Rooftop's artistic directors are Paul Sayers and Simon Bolton.

Paul and Simon met at Birmingham School of Speech & Drama (now Birmingham School of Acting) in 1995 and trained together on the one year post graduate acting course. After a few years of fringe acting roles in London and the regions (waiting for the breakthrough!) they took some further training at the City Literary Institute and met George Pensotti. Rooftop came into being!

Paul and Simon have other jobs and activities when not planning, producing, directing and acting in productions. Paul has a career in legal publishing and is currently professional and legal editor of the Estates Gazette. He is also training as a leadership coach and facilitator and plays the piano. Simon is an insprational primary school teacher, accomplished 0 guage railway model maker and training facilitator.

"Funny and eminently watchable...The Merry Wives of Windsor continues Rooftop's delightful run of open air Shakespeare"
Herts Advertiser on 2012's The Merry Wives of Windsor

"Energetic, captivating and above all funny...it roars into life"
Herts Advertiser on 2011's Much Ado About Nothing

"It really was excellent with a first-rate cast, tight direction and a freshness that made it a pleasure to watch"
Herts Advertiser on The Winter's Tale

"innovative direction, good acting and an unusual (and magnificent) setting...a delight."
Candy Whittome of St Albans Arts on Twelfth Night

"Rooftop clearly appeal to the St Albans theatre-going audience judging by the size of the attendance and the enthusiastic applause." 
Herts Advertiser on Taming of the Shrew

"Extraordinarily compelling...Rooftop have lifted open-air Shakespeare in St Albans to a new dimension"
Herts Advertiser on Love's Labour's Lost

"Rooftop Theatre's inspired interpretation makes for a fascinating production"
LondonNet on A Midsummer Night's Dream

"There is no doubt Rooftop do these bawdy comedies well"
Enfield Gazette on The Comedy of Errors

See the production pages for the full reviews.