‘This royal throne of kings, this scept’red isle ... this other Eden, demi-paradise ...
this blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England...’

(From John O'Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster's speech in RICHARD II)

demi-paradise productions was founded by Stephen Tomlin in 2000 to perform indoor promenade productions of classical plays at Lancaster Castle, one of Britain’s last great working castles with a history stretching back 2,000 years.

An association of regionally based performers and designers, demi–paradise acts as a magnet and showcase for professional talent, committed to creating an unforgettable experience of high quality classical drama.

The company’s site-specific interpretations of Shakespeare’s Richard II (2000), Measure For Measure (2001), Macbeth (2002), All’s Well That Ends Well (2004), Richard III (2006), & Hamlet (2008) have reflected the history and continuing use of the building as a royal fortress, prison and courts. Due to the restricted sizes of the various playing spaces audience capacity is strictly limited to 60 per performance.