4 min readWatch dramatic Shakespeare performances and family-friendly shows alfresco this summer!
Here's our guide to the outdoor shows you won't want to miss...
Henry V at Temple Church (19 June - 2 August)
Watch Shakespeare's Henry V set among the ruins of the 14th century Temple Church, which will be turned into the fields of Agincourt. This open-air, seated performance will present a thrilling retelling of the Bard's work, led by an all-female and non-binary cast, and featuring original songs from acclaimed local composer Ellian Showering.
Sense and Sensibility at The Bishop's Palace and Gardens (2 July)
This funny, fast-paced, and faithful new adaptation from the critically acclaimed Pantaloons Theatre Company features live music, audience interaction, romance, and heartbreak. There will be an outdoor bar selling cold drinks, ice cream, and alcohol throughout the performance. You are also welcome to bring your own picnic. The performance will go ahead even if it is raining, so please dress for the weather, and bring something to sit on.
Twelfth Night at Tyntesfield (19 July)
Romantic confusion, mistaken identity, infamous cross-gartered yellow stockings and riotous disorder abounds in Shakespeare's hilarious and lyrical romantic comedy about love, its many and glorious facets, and the mess it can make of us all. See this joyous play as William Shakespeare first saw it – in the open air, with an all male cast and Elizabethan costumes, music and dance.
Image - Tyntesfield
Sense and Sensibility at Winterbourne Medieval Barn (24 July)
To celebrate the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen, The Pantaloons will be performing one of her beloved classics, Sense and Sensibility, but with their own comedy twist.
Elinor Dashwood has a lot of good Sense. Her sister Marianne Dashwood has an excess of Sensibility. Together they make a snappy title for Jane Austen’s classic novel of scandals, scoundrels and severely sprained ankles.
Macbeth at Berkeley Castle (24 - 25 July)
A dynamic reimagining of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, a dark tale of ambition, murder, and madness. With a strong focus on the psychological unravelling of the protagonists, this adaptation takes The Duke’s into a new era.
Twelfth Night at Dyrham Park (25 - 26 July)
Bring a picnic and come to see Shakespeare's greatest romantic comedy, presented by The Lord Chamberlain's Men in the garden at Dyrham Park. With a history stretching back to William Shakespeare himself, they present this great play as he first saw it, in the open air, with an all male cast and Elizabethan costumes, music and dance.
Image - Dyrham Park
An evening of Opera at Berkeley Castle (30 July)
Enjoy an evening of operatic and musical hits, in the stunning 11th-century Berkeley Castle. Follow characters as they travel through 75 minutes of music, from arias and scenes by Handel, Mozart, Rossini, and Britten, to the songs of Richard Rodgers and Stephen Sondheim.
Bring whatever you need to make yourselves comfortable – picnic rugs, tables, chairs and hampers are all welcome. The performance will start at 6pm and there will be an hour’s picnic interval.
Image - Berkeley Castle
Wind in the Willows at Berkeley Castle (10 August)
Bring the whole family and follow the charming adventures of Mole, Ratty, Badger, and the mischievous Mr. Toad as they explore friendship, bravery, and the wonders of nature. Set against the stunning backdrop of Berkeley Castle, this enchanting adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s classic tale is perfect for children and adults alike.
Pack a picnic, settle down on the lawn, and let the whimsical world of the riverbank and the wild wood come to life. The shows will be at 11:45am and 2:00pm on the Lower Lawn.
The Most Perilous Comedie of Elizabeth I at Berkeley Castle (31 August - 1 September)
The stage is set for regicidal rivalries, devious dramatics, and plotting playwrights. Beset by misunderstandings and a script that…let’s just say…needs some work, this production promises to be largely historical, totally hysterical. As the old saying goes…thy show must go-eth on! Bring your own cushions and camping-chairs, and come prepared for the weather!
Outdoor cinema
Bristol Film Festival's Summer Season returns to the Mall Gardens in Clifton for a packed programme of film screenings from 4 - 6 July, including classics such as Some Like It Hot, Grease, The Goonies and Star Wars, plus some kids movies including The Emperor’s New Groove, Alice in Wonderland, Encanto and The Secret Garden. The final film will bring you the ultimate feel-good celebration with Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.
Watch some top family-friendly films in the pretty surrounds of Queen Square as Adventure Cinema comes to town from 21 - 24 August. This year's lineup includes Shrek, Moana, The Greatest Showman and a sing-a-long version of Wicked!
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