Al fresco shows to enjoy this year
AS THE weather starts to take a turn for the better (fingers crossed!) we all enjoy spending more time outside, don’t we? Well, how about combining that time outside with watching a play or opera? In Leicestershire and Rutland, we’re spoiled for choice when it comes to alfresco entertainment.
Here’s some ideas of where you can head to this summer:
Weds, May 31 - Sun, July 16: Kiss Me Kate, Kilworth House Theatre
Set in 1940’s Baltimore, the story involves the production of a musical version of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. The action unfolds on and off stage as romantic entanglements, mistaken identities and hairy encounters with a pair of hilarious, foolhardy gangsters are all comically intertwined in Cole Porter’s stunning musical comedy.
With music and lyrics by Cole Porter, songs include ‘Another Op’nin, Another Show’, ‘Brush Up Your Shakespeare’, ‘Too Darn Hot’ and ‘So In Love’.
Tickets from £34. Call box office on 01858 881939, or book online via www.kilworthhousetheatre.co.uk
Various dates in June and July: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Stamford Shakespeare Company, Tolethorpe Hall, Stamford
Four runaway lovers must spend the night in a dark and ominous wood. Meanwhile, in a nearby glade, humble workmen are rehearsing a play. They encounter the parallel universe of fairies, goblins and sprites, where all is not well between the fairy King and Queen, whose quarrel spills over into the mortal world.
The mischievous ‘sorcerer’s apprentice’ Puck is charged with putting matters right with a love potion that makes anyone fall in love with the first person they see. What can possibly go wrong?
This is a traditional Elizabethan production of Shakespeare’s most popular comedy.
Tickets from £11. Call 01780 756133 or 01780 763203, or book online at: http://stamfordshakespeare.co.uk/
Various dates in June, July and August: Much Ado About Nothing, Stamford Shakespeare Company, Tolethorpe Hall, Stamford
Battle-weary heroes return from the First World War with their thoughts turning to romance. Benedick and Beatrice are “horribly in love”; they mock each other, feign disinterest and hurl insults until they are duped into declaring their true feelings.
Meanwhile, the dastardly Don John and his comical sidekicks plot to scupper any romances. Can the incompetent WPC Dogberry and the riotous ladies of ‘the watch’ foil their plans?
Tickets from £11. Call 01780 756133 or 01780 763203, or book online at: http://stamfordshakespeare.co.uk/
June 15, 17,18, 20, 22: Puccini’s Tosca, Nevill Holt Opera 2017 Festival, Nevill Holt Hall, nr Market Harborough
Tosca’s desperate and ruthless passion in a time of political turmoil has held audiences in its spell since it was first performed. With unforgettably beautiful music and a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, audiences are set for a heart-racing night of love, passion and betrayal.
This is a co-production between Nevill Holt Opera and Northern Ireland opera. Royal Opera House Director of Opera, Oliver Mears, will return to NHO to direct this production, originally created in Derry/ Londonderry for his debut at Northern Ireland Opera in 2011.
Tickets from £60. Call 0115 846 7777 or book online via Lakeside Arts http://tickets. lakesidearts.org.uk/single/ PSDetail...
Thurs, June 22 - Sun, June 25: Much Ado About Nothing, Theatre in the Garden at The Oat Hill, Market Harborough
Sit back and enjoy Shakespeare’s comedy performed in the garden of this Harborough bar and restaurant, by local theatre company EG Productions. For Thurs - Sat evening performances, arrival time is 6.45pm and tickets cost £40 including a three course meal. For Saturday and Sunday matinee performances, arrival time is 1pm and tickets cost £25 adults, £15 children, including a barbecue buffet.
Tickets available from The Oat Hill, Market Harborough, by calling 01858 462324, or by emailing theboss@theoathill. com
Sun, June 25: Wind in the Willows, Bradgate Park
Join Badger, Ratty, Mole and Toad for a perfect summer of adventure. What starts as a search for the best picnic spot rapidly turns into the most hilarious of escapades. With Toad’s heart set on a shiny new motorcar and his very liberty soon at stake, will his faithful friends come to his rescue – and will he let them?
Presented by Chapterhouse Theatre Company, this family show is alive with music and song. Performed in the grounds of the Ruins of Bradgate House, it is presented in beautiful traditional costume and features a woodland parade during the interval for everyone to join in with!
Gates will open at Hallgates car park at 3.30pm and performance begins at 5pm. Onsite parking on the Deer meadow. Picnics and low back chairs recommended. Assistance dogs are permitted.
Tickets £15 adults, £10 children, family (2+2) £44, from www.seetickets.com (booking fee applies) or from the visitor centre or Conservatory Tearoom and Shop.
Various dates in July and August: Hobson’s Choice, Stamford Shakespeare Company, Tolethorpe Hall, Stamford
Focusing on the hilarious trials and tribulations of bombastic boot-shop owner Henry Horatio Hobson and his three uppity daughters in 1880’s Salford.
When Hobson teases his eldest, and most headstrong, daughter Maggie about being past the marrying age, she promptly retaliates by marrying his best boot-hand, Willie Mossop, and setting up a rival shop. Hobson’s future looks uncertain. As a battle of wills ensues between father and daughter, can the hapless Willie triumph?
Tickets from £11.Call 01780 756133 or 01780 763203, or book online at: http://stamfordshakespeare.co.uk/
Sat, July 1 and Sun, July 2: Noye’s Fludde (Noah’s Flood) Nevill Holt Opera 2017 Festival, Neville Holt Hall, nr Market Harborough
This full-scale outdoor production of Noye’s Fludde by Benjamin Britten is the closing highlight of the 2017 Summer Festival.
Featuring 130 Northamptonshire, Leicestershire and Rutland school children, conducted by NHO’s Artistic Director Nicholas Chalmers and directed by Royal Opera House Director of Opera Oliver Mears, this will be NHO’s first community children’s opera.
The relaxed environment and spectacular 50 minute production promises to make Noye’s Fludde the perfect introduction to opera for children, young adults and families. Performances 2pm and 5pm.
Tickets £12 adults, £6 children. Book via Eventbrite website: https://www.eventbrite. co.uk/e/noahs-flood-by-benj...
Sat, July 29: Peter Pan, Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre
Chapterhouse Theatre Company present an all-new production of Peter Pan. Join Wendy, Michael and John Darling on their adventures with Peter, far away on the magical island of Neverland.
Presented by special arrangement with Samuel French and in support of Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, J.M.Barrie’s timeless classic is brought to life in a brand new adaptation by award winning writer Laura Turner.
Doors open 5.30 pm, show starts 6.30pm. Take your own chairs. Tickets: Adults £12.50, child £9 and family (2 adults and 2 children) £40, under 5’s free, 10% discount for parties of 10 or more. Call box office on 01455 290429 or purchase from the ticket office at Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre.
Sun, July 30: Pride and Prejudice, Bradgate Park
Take a step back in time with Chapterhouse Theatre Company to meet Elizabeth Bennet, Jane Austen’s most loveable heroine. When Elizabeth meets the rude and abrupt Mr Darcy, she loathes him at first sight. But is there more to him than meets the eye?
Brought to life by award winning writer Laura Tuner, this brand new adaptation celebrates the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s death.
Gates will open at Hallgates car park at 3.30pm and performance begins at 5pm. Onsite parking on the Deer meadow. Picnics and low back chairs recommended. Assistance dogs are permitted.
Tickets £15 adults, £10 children, family (2+2) £44, from www.seetickets.com (booking fee applies) or from the visitor centre or Conservatory Tearoom and Shop.
Wed, Aug 16 - Sun, Sept 17: Top Hat, Kilworth House Theatre
Winner of three Laurence Olivier awards including Best New Musical, ‘Top Hat’ brings the glamour of Hollywood’s golden age and the tap-dancing magic of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers to the stage.
Based on the 1935 movie of the same name, ‘ Top Hat’ is packed full of Irving Berlin’s greatest hits including ‘Cheek to Cheek’, ‘Top Hat’, ‘White Tie & Tails’, ‘Let’s Face the Music & Dance’ and ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’.
It tells the story of Broadway sensation Jerry Travers who dances his way across Europe to win the heart of society girl Dale Tremont.
Tickets from £34. Call box office on 01858 881939, or book online at: www.kilworthhousetheatre.co.uk