All the world's a stage: Professional actors perform Romeo and Julliet on the site of Merton Abbey Mills' market
For a time it looked like the recession might kill it off, but organisers of the 12th Abbeyfest have beat the downturn to raise the curtain on a 54-day bonanza of theatre, music, comedy, and film.
A promenade production of Romeo and Juliet on Monday marked the start of the festival with a bumper programme of cultural events set to follow through the remainder of the summer.
Organiser Peter Wallder said: “I’m just relieved we’re underway. It was a brilliant first night.
“We’d braced ourselves for the worst weather but the sun came up at the last moment and everything was absolutely fine.”
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