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All the world's a stage

Friends, Romans, countrymen, sit down with some beers and enjoy a picnic with theatrical entertainment. Here is a round up of the open-air theatre shows to be found in Kent this summer.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Kent Shakespeare Company

What happens to Hermia and Lysander, Helena and Demetrius when they run away to an enchanted forest is the plot of Shakespeare’s Athenian comedy. The play features Puck, the enchanting elf, who mixes things up when the couples become embroiled in a dispute in the fairy world. Open-air Shakespeare has been a feature at Mount Ephraim, near Faversham, since the 1980s and not-for-profit Kent Shakespeare Company return with their traditional outdoor theatre.

When: Wednesday, June 27, to Saturday, July 7.

Cost: Tickets from £5, concessions from £4.

Address: Mount Ephraim, Staple Street, Hernhill, Faversham ME13 9UD

Contact: 01227 751496 orwww.kentshakespeare.co.uk

A wandering tramp in the Changeling Theatre's As You Like It
A wandering tramp in the Changeling Theatre's As You Like It

As You Like It

Changeling Theatre

This play gave English literature the immortal lines “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players” yet there is more to As You Like It. “Forever and a day” and “a motley fool” are among other memorable quotations from this Shakespeare comedy, travelling the breadth of the county with the Changeling Theatre. The production is inspired by life in rural Kent in the 1950s. The company felt this era of colourful characters and wandering tramps was ideal for Shakespeare’s Forest of Arden.

When: Friday, June 22, to Sunday, July 22.

Cost: Tickets from £10.

Address: Various (see list at bottom)

Contact: 01622 758611 orwww.changeling-theatre.com

Emma

Chapterhouse Theatre Company

This tale of matchmaking, marriage and merriment sees Emma determined to pair her friends off with their perfect matches. Yet could it be that amidst the young woman’s plotting, her own true love has been there all along? This new adaptation of Jane Austen’s story promises love and laughter aplenty in an evening of heart-warming Regency romance under the summer sky.

When: Scotney – Thursday, June 28. Goodnestone – Saturday, June 30.

Cost: Scotney – Adults £14, children £7. Goodnestone – Adults £13.50, students and children £8, families £40.

Address: Scotney Castle, Lamberhurst, Tunbridge Wells TN3 8JN and Goodnestone Park Gardens, Park View Close, Goodnestone, Canterbury CT3 1PL

Contact: Scotney 0844 249 1895, Goodnestone 01304 840107 orwww.chapterhouse.org

Grimm Fairy Tales

The Pantaloons

Based on the stories of the Brothers Grimm, the Pantaloons have put together an inventive show for children and adults. Tales of wicked witches, talking animals, plucky maidens and dashing adventurers are performed with music, magic and dark comedy.

When: Godinton – Saturday, July 7, Hall Place – Thursday, July 19

Cost: Godinton – Adults £15, children £5. Hall Place – Adults £12, concessions £10, children £8.

Address: Godinton House, Godinton Lane, Ashford TN23 3BP and Hall Place & Gardens, Bourne Road, Bexley DA5 1PQ

Contact: Godinton 01233 643854, Hall Place 01322 621238 orwww.thepantaloons.co.uk

Henry V

Illyria Theatre

Shakespeare’s most patriotic play is popular this year with celebrations of the Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympic Games. Illyria are adding their own 20th anniversary to the reasons to be jovial as they perform this production full of patriotism, pageantry and poetry. It tells of an inexperienced king who leads a small and weakened army into the battle of Agincourt against the might of the French battalions. Despite his own stirring rhetoric, Henry wrestles with his conscience about what it is to be king and to lead good men towards a fate so bleak. Yet with the odds stacked against them, the English sweep to a historic victory.

When: Ightham – Saturday, June 30. Tonbridge – Tuesday, August 21.

Cost: Ightham – £18. Tonbridge – £11, children £7

Address: Ightham Mote, Mote Road, Sevenoaks TN15 0NT and Tonbridge Castle, Castle Street, Tonbridge TN9 1BG

Contact: Ightham 0844 249 1895, Tonbridge 01732 770929 orwww.illyria.uk.com

HMS Pinafore

Illyria Theatre

If opera is more your thing, check out this production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s comical take on the British institutions of class, patriotism and the Royal Navy. The captain’s daughter Josephine is in love with Ralph, a common sailor, but her father wants her to marry Sir Joseph Porter, First Lord of the Admiralty. The couple are caught as they elope from the ship and Ralph is locked in the ship’s dungeon. Only when certain revelations are made by Buttercup, a dockside vendor, can everyone end up freely marrying their true hearts’ loves.

When: From Tuesday, July 10, to Tuesday, August 28.

Cost: Various (see list at bottom)

Address: Varies.

Contact: Charlton Park 01227 831355, Ightham 0844 249 1895, Tonbridge 01732 770929 orwww.illyria.uk.com

Julius Caesar

Oddsocks Theatre Company

A part of the school curriculum for reluctant teenagers across the county, this Shakespeare tragedy turns into an Olympic comedy as the most famous political coup in literature is given the Oddsocks treatment. Rome’s creaking coalition is under strain as the nation’s sporting games is held to honour Emperor Caesar. Yet there are questions over whether the games will be an expensive disaster as the liberal Senators plot their infamous assassination? Will Caesar’s stinking plebs be revolting?

When: Saturday, June 16.

Cost: Adults £14, children £10.

Address: Rare Breeds Centre, Woodchurch, Ashford TN26 3RJ

Contact: 01233 861508 orwww.oddsocks.co.uk

Macbeth

The Lord Chamberlain’s Men

When the triumphant soldier Macbeth discovers he’s destined to be the next King of Scotland, he and Lady Macbeth decide to risk everything in a desperate attempt to gain the throne. Yet Macbeth’s violent dream of power becomes a paranoid nightmare, leading to ghostly apparitions, sword fights and a blood-soaked conclusion. The Lord Chamberlain’s Men is an all-male open-air theatre company, performing with the same principles followed in Shakespeare’s time.

When: Leeds – Thursday, June 28 to Saturday, June 30. Hever – Wednesday, August 22.

Cost: Leeds – Adults £15, children £12. Hever – £17.50.

Address: Leeds Castle, Maidstone ME17 1PL and The Festival Theatre at Hever Castle, Hever Castle, Edenbridge TN8 7NG

Contact: Leeds 01622 8800089 or www.leeds-castle.com. Hever 01732 866114 orwww.hevercastle.co.uk

Pride and Prejudice

Chapterhouse Theatre Company

A production of Jane Austen’s classic, adapted by Laura Turner. In the idyllic, historic surroundings of the Castle’s Grade II* listed Orangery, enjoy this traditional piece from the comfort of your own rug or deckchair?

When: Wednesday, August 15.

Cost: Adults £13.50, students and children £9 families £40.

Address: Chiddingstone Castle, Hill Hoath Road, Chiddingstone TN8 7AD

Contact: 01892 872746 orwww.chapterhouse.org

Chapterhouse Theatre

Deemed the greatest love story ever told, this is Shakespeare’s unforgettable tale of romance and passion. Star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, fight for unity despite their feuding families, the Montagues and Capulets. The play features one of the Bard’s most iconic moments, when the pair pledge to marry each other in the balcony scene.

When: Friday, August 24.

Cost: Adults £13.50, students and children £9 families £40.

Address: Chiddingstone Castle, Hill Hoath Road, Chiddingstone TN8 7AD

Contact: 01892 872746 orwww.chapterhouse.org

Sleeping Beauty

Chapterhouse Theatre Company

Sleeping Beauty waits for her prince in a new version of the fairytale, made famous in the Disney movie. Set in the 1940s, this adaptation takes audiences on a thrilling journey. Wear fancy dress and bring a picnic.

When: Wednesday, August 8.

Cost: Adults £16.50, children £12, families £49.

Address: The Festival Theatre at Hever Castle, Hever Castle, Edenbridge TN8 7NG

Contact: 01732 866114 orwww.chapterhouse.org

The Importance of Being Earnest

The Pantaloons

Oscar Wilde’s comic masterpiece gets a more anarchic treatment from the Pantaloons. “You must not laugh at me, darling, but it had always been a girlish dream of mine to love someone whose name was Ernest,” goes the story as it becomes clear everybody loves Ernest. The only trouble is, he doesn’t exist. Or does he?

When: Sunday, June 24 to Monday, August 27.

Cost: Varies.

Address: Various (see list at bottom)

Contact: Smallhythe 0844 249 1895, Danson 01322 621238, Mount Ephraim 01227 751496 orwww.thepantaloons.co.uk

The Importance of Being Earnest

Chapterhouse Theatre Company

Entering its 13th year of performing theatre at country houses, castles and heritage sites across the UK, Chapterhouse will perform Oscar Wilde’s best-loved romantic comedy. Set in 19th-century London, it sends up the Victorian concept of marriage.

When: Thursday, August 9.

Cost: Tickets £17.50.

Address: The Festival Theatre at Hever Castle, Hever Castle, Edenbridge TN8 7NG

Contact: 01732 866114 orwww.chapterhouse.org

The Twits

Illyria Theatre

One of Roald Dahl’s most popular children’s books, this theatrical adaptation follows Mr and Mrs Twit, who play terrible tricks on each other and their pet monkey Mugglewump. They lure birds into glue covered trees to make bird pies and they eat spaghetti made with wiggly worms. Then the arrival of Roly-Poly Bird gives Mugglewump and the other birds the chance for revenge.

When: Sunday, June 3, to Wednesday, August 29.

Cost: Various: For example Kent Life adults £12, concessions £11, children £10, under three free.Hever adults £16.50, children £12, families £49.

Address: Various (see list at bottom)

Contact:www.illyria.uk.com

FULL LIST OF DATES AND VENUES

Changeling Theatre’s As You Like It

Boughton Monchelsea Place, Maidstone, Friday to Sunday, June 22 to 24

Charlton Park, Canterbury, Wednesday, June 27

Fort Amherst, Chatham, Thursday, June 28

Central Park, Dartford, Friday, June 29

Godinton House, Ashford, Saturday, June 30

Eastwell Manor, Ashford, Sunday, July 1 and 15

Nurstead Court, Istead Rise, Tuesday, July 3 and 10

Secret Gardens, Sandwich, Thursday, July 5

Boughton Monchelsea Place, Friday to Sunday, July 6 to 8

Upnor Castle, Rochester Wednesday to Thursday, July 11 to 12

Friars at Aylesford, Friday, July 13

Great Comp, Borough Green, Thursday, July 19

Belmont House, Faversham, Friday, July 20

Loose Amenities Association, Saturday, July 21

Dandelion Time, Maidstone, Sunday, July 22

Illyria Theatre’s HMS Pinafore

Charlton Park Foundation, Canterbury, Tuesday, July 10

Ightham Mote, Sevenoaks, Saturday, July 28

Tonbridge Castle, Tuesday, August 28

Illyria Theatre’s The Twits

Kent Life, Maidstone, Sunday, June 3

The Festival Theatre, Hever Castle, Thursday, June 7 and Friday, June 8

Tonbridge Castle, Thursday, June 21

Ladham House, Goudhurst, Sunday, July 1

Ightham Mote, Sevenoaks, Saturday, August 25

Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, Wednesday, August 29

The Pantaloons’ The Importance of Being Earnest

Smallhythe Place, Tenterden, Sunday, June 24

Danson House, Bexleyheath, Thursday, June 28

Mount Ephraim Gardens, Faversham, Monday, August 27

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