From riverside settings to the gardens of stately homes, from classic drama to bestselling children’s stories, there’s a wealth of outdoor theatre ahead - so book your tickets, pack a picnic and get set for a dramatic summer ...

June 8
1. Hampton Court Castle
Chapterhouse Theatre Company present The Secret Garden

This summer, join young Mary Lennox on a journey of discovery as she is sent to her uncle’s house in the countryside, where mysteries and secrets lurk round every corner... As she makes new friends and encounters magical creatures, Mary has one burning question: where is the location of her uncle’s secret garden, and where has he hidden the key? Relive this enchanting tale of secrecy and curiosity in what will be one of the highlights of the summer.
hamptoncourtcastle.co.uk


2. Rain or Shine Theatre Company present As You Like It
June 22 - By The River Wye, Shepherds Meadow, Eaton Bishop
June 30 - Lea Village Hall, near Ross-on-Wye/03306 600541
July 5 - Goodrich Castle/03306 600541
July 10 - Dore Abbey/01981 570264

Join one of Shakespeare's most famous heroines, Rosalind,as she makes her way in a world full of power, jealousy and tyranny.
In fear for her life and in search of true love, she flees her heritage with her cousin Celia and fool 
Touchstone. Will disguising herself as a country lad lead her to a new life full of hope, laughter, and her banished father?
With songs galore, hand-to-hand wrestling, idiotic shepherds and the infamous melancholic Jaques, 
this comedy is ideal for all the family.

3. June 22, Ralph Court Gardens
Three Men in a Boat

After the huge success of Old Herbaceous, Kick in the Head Productions are back with a rip-roaring barrel of fun, Three Men in a Boat, with Giles Shenton (Old Herbaceous himself) playing the part of Jerome K Jerome.
Join Jerome as he recounts the hilarious story of his boating holiday along the magnificent River Thames with his two companions and Montmorency the dog, a ridiculous tale of men behaving badly while messing about in boats.
Ralphcourtgardens.co.uk

4. July 28, Abergavenny Castle; August 23 Rose Bank Gardens, Great Malvern
Illyria present The Tempest

The magician Prospero is marooned on an island with his daughter Miranda. With the assistance of a powerful air spirit he keeps in servitude, he conjures up a storm to shipwreck his enemies on the shore of the island. Inexorably they are driven towards the centre of the island to answer to Prospero – until Prospero learns that in spite of everything Miranda has met and fallen in love with Ferdinand, the son of his enemy. Which is greater – his thirst for revenge or his aptitude for forgiveness? The play, believed to be the last that Shakespeare wrote single-handedly, is lyrical, thought-provoking and raucously funny. More than 400 years after it was written it still has the capacity to surprise!
illyriatourdates.co.uk
Abergavenny: 01873 850805

5. July 27, Abergavenny Castle
Illyria present Frankenstein

Brilliant young student Viktor Frankenstein discovers how to endow dead organic matter with life itself. It is one thing to stitch together an anatomically complete organism, but quite another when it becomes a living, breathing creature that shows intelligence, feels torment – and demands answers of its creator. Viktor, disgusted by his creation and unable to face the consequences of bringing it into the world, escapes his claustrophobic university life to return home to Switzerland. But the Monster is not to be put off, and it relentlessly tracks him down. The show contains mature themes but is suitable for all ages 5+.
illyriatourdates.co.uk/01873 850805

6. June 30, Eastnor Castle
Heartbreak Productions present Wuthering Heights

Step into the desolate realm of Wuthering Heights, home to the Earnshaw family and the mysterious orphan, Heathcliff. While under the care of the wealthy Mr Earnshaw, Heathcliff’s relationship with the gentleman’s daughter, Catherine, blossoms into an unruly and passionate romance. Betraying her heart, Catherine resigns to marry a man of higher class, leading Heathcliff down a vengeful and self-destructive path. His possessive and erratic nature drives him to enact a torturous scheme of revenge on the next generation of Earnshaws. An iconic tale of a timeless love affair between two restless souls as wild and untamed as the bleak Yorkshire moors. 
eastnorcastle.com/whats-on

7. August 5, Croft Castle and Parkland
Immersion Theatre present Alice in Wonderland

Imagination runs wild in a fantastical, larger-than-life musical brimming with nonsensical fun and excitement for the entire family.
Follow Alice and the White Rabbit as they set off on a colourful, topsy-turvy adventure like no other and meet a host of outlandish characters including the troublesome twins, Tweedledum and Tweedledee and of course, the Mad-as a bat-Hatter!

8. August 11, Eastnor Castle
Gangsta Granny by David Walliams

Ben is an 11-year old want-to-be plumber fed up with spending his Friday nights at Granny’s. Hungry and bored Ben stumbles upon an old biscuit tin, a biscuit tin that contains Granny’s biggest secret… Ben’s Granny is an international jewel thief – and she needs his help to pull off her biggest heist yet, stealing the crown jewels!
eastnorcastle.com/whats-on