Dust off the deckchair, pack a picnic and settle down for some terrific open air theatre in some of Surrey’s most sumptuous settings. Jane McGowan takes her seat.
Open-air theatre is more popular than ever. But if the whole world is now a stage, outdoor players made their first primitive entrances at least a millennium ago. According to historians, there are records of performances in England from the 10th century depicting key events in the Church calendar for the masses. Today, the incomparable Bard is still big in outdoor theatre but with lots of supporting acts in tow. Pray silence for the summer selection coming to South West London and Surrey...
Harlequin Theatre at Reigate Castle Grounds
Reigate Castle Grounds hosts many productions for Harlequin Outdoor Theatre, including a This is My Theatre adaptation of the E Nesbit children’s classic Five Children & It (Aug 28, 2 pm; £15). Retelling the story that’s captured the imagination of generations of kids, it centres on the adventures of Cyril, Anthea, Robert, Jane, and their baby brother, who stumble on a Psammead—a sometimes malevolent sand fairy who can grant wishes.
The same company (see thisismytheatre.com) returns to the Athenian forest on the same day (7 p.m.) to follow the travails of four lost lovers in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. A week later, The Duke’s Theatre Company rolls up with its colourful version of As You Like It (Sept 4, 6.30 pm; £18.50 adults). Finally, the award-winning Illyria company of players brings the season to a close with a spot of Gilbert and Sullivan, as The Gondoliers sails in (Sept 7, 6pm; £18.50 adults).
For further details, visit: harlequintheatre.co.uk.
Immersion Theatre at Hatchlands Park
The glorious gardens of Hatchlands Park in East Clandon, near Guildford, are the setting for two shows by the talented Immersion Theatre troupe.
There’s a hilarious version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Aug 8, 7 pm; £16 adult), ahead of JM Barrie’s classic Peter Pan (Aug 24, 5.30 pm; £14). Watch as Peter and his new friends venture to Neverland to take on the dastardly Captain Hook and his crew with catchy tunes and audience participation.
Visit: nationaltrust.org.uk.
The Puppet Barge Richmond
For younger theatregoers, the UK’s only floating puppet theatre ties up for the summer in Richmond for a magical marionette production of Oscar Wilde’s The Selfish Giant. Suitable for children from four years old, the 50-minute shows take place on multiple dates from Aug 20 to Sept 22, with a relaxed performance on Aug 31. Tickets are £14 for adults and £10 for those under 16.
For further details visit: puppetbarge.com.
Illyria Theatre at Chiswick & West Horsley
Chiswick House is the venue for Illyria Theatre’s musical production The Adventures of Doctor Dolittle (Aug 21, 2.30 pm; £18 adults). The medic leads a simple life as a village doctor until one day, with the help of his wise old parrot Polynesia, he makes an extraordinary discovery: he can talk to animals!
Illyria has spent more than three decades pursuing its mission of creating excellent outdoor theatre and making it available to all. Catch its productions at a variety of other local venues this summer, including Romeo and Juliet at The Hawth Amphitheatre, Crawley (Aug 21); Doctor Dolittle again, this time at West Horsley Place, near Leatherhead (Aug 22); and The Hound of the Baskervilles at Painshill, Cobham (Aug 15).
For further details, visit: illyria.co.uk.
Painshill: Bard in Brief
Painshill at Cobham welcomes back Four Forty Theatre for a British Summertime Shakespeare Double Bill (Aug 2, 6pm). See comedies Twelfth Night and A Midsummer Night’s Dream performed in a single night, by only four actors, in 40 (ish!) minutes each.
A great, fun way to enjoy the Bard, described by one critic as “an exceptionally special, hilarious, speedy tour of two of Shakespeare’s arguably greatest plays!” Tickets are £18 for adults.
For further details, visit: painshill.co.uk.
Nearby open-air cinemas
For those of you who fancy catching up with some film favourites, there are also a number of open-air cinema experiences to enjoy this month...
- Colets Health & Fitness in Thames Ditton is hosting the ABBA soundtracked Mamma Mia! as a silent cinema experience. To ensure that everyone gets the best sound quality, ticketholders are provided with high-quality wireless headphones that enable you to immerse yourself in the film without any distractions from the surrounding environment. Aug 3, 8.30 pm (attendance permitted from 5pm); from £16.96; coletshealthclub.co.uk.
- Mamma Mia! is a popular choice, with a further screening at Isleworth’s splendid Osterley Park, courtesy of Adventure Cinema (Aug 10). Held in front of the mansion, the party starts with music from the 70s & 80s before the movie begins.
- Other films on offer include Pretty Woman (Aug 8), The Greatest Showman Sing-a-long (Aug 9), and Back to the Future (Aug 11). Standard tickets cost £16.98; further details are at adventurecinema.co.uk.
