Ben Smith is not the only member of the East Anglia Bylines ensemble who enjoys theatrical performances in places other than ordinary theatres. I have fond memories of a performance in which a meal was such an integral part of the story that the various courses were served to the audience. I really enjoy the intimacy of theatre pubs and pop-up performances.
Around Easter, my local village hall was host to two separate touring companies, one with a single actor, the other with two. And now it’s open air theatre season.
Go outdoors!
My personal favourite is Thorington Theatre, between Southwold and Halesworth. Set in an amphitheatre created by a WWII bomb, the stage welcomes different companies and performers throughout the season. There is a platform at the top for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility, which I took advantage of with some trepidation as I have some hearing loss. The acoustics were excellent, though, and I needn’t have worried. The wet weather hasn’t put audiences off, or indeed actors. They offer theatre, comedy, live music, story-telling and even opera. This weekend they have The Marriage of Figaro, The Railway Children, Jeeves and Wooster, and Sunday in the Park inspired by Georges Seurat.
My first visit this year was to a new adaptation of Robert Louis Stephenson’s Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde; and the cast ignored the onset of rain, accompanied by the raising of hoods and umbrellas. Performing in daylight and with only minimal stage furniture and lighting, the transformations between the two sides of the eponymous character were truly impressive. One even caused a dog in the audience to bark and growl. British Touring Shakespeare is now on tour and will be returning to our region, to Sandy and Clifton Reynes, later in the season.
Sutton Hoo
The Red Rose Theatre Company will be celebrating 25 years of Theatre in the Forest this year. They will be performing a spectacular Midsummer Night’s Dream at Sutton Hoo from 24 July – 24 August.
Cambridge
On the other side of our region, in situ: is a professionally-run group specialising in performing in non-theatre spaces. Earlier this summer they performed The Bacchae in Wandlebury Park, Cambridge.
An extended interview with director Richard Spaul tells us in detail what the company sought to achieve with their performance of The Bacchae:
in situ:’s work extends from this play with a large cast, using the whole landscape of Wandlebury Park, to Richard’s one-man performances in Cambridge’s Leper Chapel. And those one-man performances, too, have a range. At the most conventional, he’ll keep an audience enthralled by telling them ghost stories. More surprising, is his solo adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, which he’ll be doing again in August: Friday 2, Saturday 3, Friday 23, Saturday 24 — all at 20:00. Also in August, they will be presenting Ovid’s Metamorphoses and Ghost Stories III.
St Albans
The Roman Theatre of Verulamium which dates back to 140 CE is unique in Roman theatres in Britain in having a stage rather than an amphitheatre. Extended around 300 CE to hold about 2000 spectators, it presented a range of events. The ruins were excavated in 1847, 1935, 1953 and 1961, resulting in evidence of shops, a shrine, and a villa, as well as the theatre itself.
Refurbishment in 2014 improved access, and since then, local theatre company OVO has produced a summer festival with a wide choice of performances. This year they include The Merry Wives of Windsor, Sense and Sensibility, Treasure Island and much more. As well as their own productions, they host other companies, including The Pantaloons from Saffron Waldon, who are performing Robin Hood there.
And more …
The Pantaloons are energetic and engaging, describing themselves as “a company dedicated to making theatre which is accessible yet intelligent”. They have been touring for 20 years and perform nationwide, in both outdoor and indoor venues. This year they are offering The Importance of Being Earnest, Robin Hood, and The Merry Wives of Windsor. There are venues across our region, click on the name and scroll down for details.
Something engaging for the more adventurous among us
Murder Mysteries are big business now, although they can be quite expensive. But it’s worth looking out for local ones, which can be great fun, especially if you go with a group of friends. For example, The Bull Hotel in Sudbury invites you to dress in 1920s formal attire for their event on 7 September. Or, you could don a toga for Colchester Castle’s event on 21 September, or head to Norwich on 28 September for a glittering evening at The Assembly House. And if a murder on a steam train appeals then the themed Murder Mystery Evenings with dinner on the North Norfolk Railway running from Sheringham to Holt is a must. Limited availability for 27 July and 17 August.
Events taking place this weekend (tickets available at time of writing)
Cambridgeshire
This weekend sees in situ: present Ghost Stories III, on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 July, at 20:00. Actor-Singer-Storyteller Richard Spaul performs ghost stories by Homer, Elizabeth Bowen, and Charles Dickens in the perfect atmosphere of Cambridge’s mysterious Leper Chapel. Tickets £18 in advance or on the door from 19:30. The Leper Chapel, Barnwell Junction, Newmarket Rd, Cambridge CB5 8JJ
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The Cambridge Folk Festival starts on Thursday 25 through to Sunday 28 July. As well as legends like Ralph McTell and Peggy Seeger, there are favourites like Talisk and Capercaillie. (full line-up here). On Sunday afternoon the festival hosts four Norwegian roots musicians. As usual, there’s plenty to do away from the music stages, too, from instrument-making to tai chi. Details of prices here. Cambridge Folk Festival, Cherry Hinton Hall, Cambridge. Click here for how to get there and camping information.
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The maize is getting taller at the Wimblington Maize Maze! This year’s theme is supporting Team GB at the Summer Olympics. As well as exploring the maze, there’s go-karting, pig racing, and lots else, including a foam party every day at 16:30. Daily, 10:00 – 17:00. Book online prices: Adult 16+ £13, Child 3-15 £15, Family of 4 £54, Under 3s Free. Skylark Garden Centre, Manea Road, Wimblington, March, PE15 0PE
Bedfordshire
On Friday 26 July there’s a Bug Hunt in the Walled Garden at Luton Hoo, 10:30 – 14:00. There’s crafts and quizzes too. No need to book, prices Adults £2, Children £5, Under 2’s Free. Luton Hoo Estate, Luton, please use postcode LU1 4LF.
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Herring Green Activity Farm has a daily programme of events, from meeting an owl, watching a flying display to riding toy tractors. 10:00 – 17:00. Bring a picnic or visit their tearoom. Adults £14.25 Child (2-15 years) £8.95 Children under 2 years free. Herrings Green Activity Farm & Birds of Prey Centre, Herrings Green Farm, Cotton End Road, Wilstead, MK45 3DT
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There are two events this weekend at Woburn Safari Park, both additional to the normal entry fees. On Saturday 27 July little ones can meet Hey Duggee from The Squirrels, no extra cost but pre-booked times.
On both Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 July there’s Tiger Charity Weekend. Keepers are raising funds for the Wildcats Conservation Alliance’s projects to help prevent the extinction of Amur tigers in the wild. They offer a 30 minute mini VIP experience with keepers, in a 4×4 to get close to the tigers. £30, book your time slot by clicking Book Now on this page. Woburn Safari Park, Woburn Park, MK43 0TU (for Satnav) (own vehicle required)
Buckinghamshire
The Alina Orchestra has created Band in a Van to bring its performances out to the community. The group perform anything from Disney to classical music, encouraging audiences to take part and even try an instrument. Their performances are free and they’ll be out and about in the county at the weekend. Friday 26 July: 10:00 Burham Library and 13:00 Gerrards Cross Library; Saturday 27 July: 10.30 Princes Risborough Library and 13.00 Aylesbury Library. For more dates, please visit the website.
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Band in a Van’s events are just some contributing to Buckinghamshire Open Weekend. There’s a list here, but you need to scroll down quite some way to reach Friday 26 – Sunday 28 July! Just a few we spotted:
Women’s Cultural Arena offers Colours of Art, an exhibition exploring colour in art from women from diverse cultures. Free, donations gratefully accepted. Saturday 27 July, 10:00 – 15:00 White Room, 1st Floor, High Wycombe Library, 5 Eden Place, High Wycombe, HP11 2DH
The Chiltern Open Air Museum has aHeritage Crafts Weekend Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 July 10:00 – 17:00, with the opportunity to watch a bodger at work – yes it’s a real job. Tickets: Adult £13.64, Child 4-16 £10, under 4 Free. Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park, Chalfont St Peter, Chalfont Saint Giles HP8 4AB
On Sunday 28 July Wycombe Museum has a Family Day, 10:00 – 16:00 Wycombe Museum, Priory Avenue, High Wycombe, HP13 6PX
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Stoke Mandeville is the birthplace of the Paralympics and the National Paralympic Heritage Trust’s museum at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, Guttmann Road, Aylesbury, HP21 9PP is open 09:00 – 19:00 daily with no need to book. If you’re visiting London they have an exhibition near Regent Street until 13 September and you can visit their Global Virtual Museum here
Essex
The Fry Art Gallery in Saffron Walden has an exhibition of the works of Eric Ravilious, Edward Bawden and the artists who followed them to North West Essex in the 1930s. Great Bardfield and Beyond: A Working Landscape looks at the responses to the countryside by a diverse range of artists. A second exhibition explores the works of their contemporary, Charles Mahoney. Both exhibitions run to 27 October, 14:00 – 17:00 Tuesdays to Fridays, Sundays and bank holidays, and 11:00 – 17:00 on Saturdays. The Fry Art Gallery, 19a Castle St, Saffron Walden CB10 1BD
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Saturday 27 July sees the first of Clacton Pier’s Summer Firework Displays, at approximately 21:00, then the next three Saturdays, at the Air Show on 22August and on Bank Holiday Sunday. Free. Clacton Pier, 1 North Sea, Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 1QX
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Colchester’s Eco-Festival is on Saturday 27 July 11:00 – 15:00. Get hands-on with Lee Connelly, the ‘Skinny Jean Gardener’! Seed sowing, bug hotel building, garden hunts and e-cargo bike displays – for all ages. Free, drop-in. Culver Square, Colchester, CO1 1JQ
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Calling all Princesses and Princes to Our Immersive Royal Party at Cammas Hall Farm! Join us for a magical 1-hour experience featuring two enchanting princesses. Sunday 28th July 11:00 and 12:30. Our Royal Party includes: Singalongs; Dance like a true prince or princess Enjoy fun and engaging games fit for royalty; Be captivated by enchanting stories. £4.25 + 75p booking fee for adults and children over 2, Under 2’s on laps go free. Cammas Hall Farm, Needham Green, Hatfield Broad Oak, CM22 7JT
Hertfordshire
The St Albans Comedy Garden started on Wednesday 24 July and continues to Sunday 28 July. Various start times, with three shows on Saturday and two on Sunday. There are some big names in comedy performing, including Ross Noble and Ardal O’Hanlon. With 5 performers in each, shows cost £26, tickets here. Verulamium Park, St Albans, AL3 4HG
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The Shaw Society was formed on 26 July 1941, the 85th birthday of George Bernard Shaw and although he wanted nothing to do with it, they have endured and are celebrating his anniversary. On Saturday 27 July there are two events: a drinks reception at 16:00 hosted by their Vice President, Dame Siân Phillips. Tickets £28 at the New St Lawrence Church, Ayot St Lawrence Welwyn, AL6 9BZ Tickets £28, book online.
This is followed at 18:30 by an open air performance of Mrs Warren’s Professionat Shaw’s Corner, Bibbs Hall Ln, Welwyn AL6 9BX by Shaw2020 Theatre Company. Tickets for this are £22, book online. Then on Sunday 28 July the company moves to Screen 3 at Campus West Theatre, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6BX, for a 14:30 performance. Tickets £20.50 + £1.50, book online.
Norfolk
Saturday 27 July is Norfolk Day. So around the county there are many events large & small, including: a Cribbage Competition in Acle, a Comedy night in Dereham; a Craft Day at Waterloo Park, Norwich (Facebook); Hunting for Bish Barney Bees at Gooderstone Water Gardens; the Worstead Festival; and much else.
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Bressingham Steam Gardens hosts Marshall from Paw Patrol on Saturday 27 July, at their Fire Engine Rally, which continues on Sunday 28 July. Bressingham is always good value, with their gardens, gallopers and steam trains. Special event day advance tickets, Adult 16+ from £15.90, 3-15 yr £10.49, 2 yr £2, under 2 Free. Bressingham Steam & Gardens, Low Road, Bressingham, Diss, IP22 2AA
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Norwich Pride is on Saturday 27 July. March starts at 13.00 hrs at City Hall & then makes its way across the city, ending up in Chapelfield Gardens. All are welcome and this celebration is always great fun. As well as the march, there are five Stages; a Makers Market; Stalls at The Forum and Chapelfield Gardens; an Art Exhibition; Question Time and Street Entertainment. Norwich City Centre, various locations, accessibility information and map here
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Over at Old Buckenham the Norfolk Air Show is the first Airshow ever with an electric aircraft formation display and the first ever all solar powered airshow air display. They have an impressive range of aircraft, from Spitfires to the F-35 – they are the first non-military Airshow to feature the F-35. The Saturday is sold out, but tickets are available for Sunday 28 July, 08:30 – 18:30. Adult £37.50, Disabled £21.25, 12-16: £21.25, under 12 free. Old Buckenham is near Snetterton, but please scroll to the bottom of the website for how to reach the airfield on show days.
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Holt Festival comes to an end with Inca on Saturday 26 July and on Sunday 27 July, the Bootleg Beatles. Holt Festival, pay-and-display car parks throughout the town, Holt, Norfolk, NR25 6
Suffolk
Yes, there’s Latitude, but you probably already know that. Prices from £110 for an adult day ticket. Henham Park, Beccles, NR34 8AN
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Further south in the county, Jimmy’s Farm hosts the Beetle-juiced Festival from 18:00 on Friday 26 July to 17:00 on Sunday 28 July. Yes, there’s VW cars of course, but much else too. During the day there’s trial bike displays, traders and street food, and activities for the little ones. Then on the Saturday evening live music takes over, with the Outdoor Stage and The Big Top (Rave Cave).
Camping and weekend tickets are sold out, but day tickets are available: £10 for each of Friday evening, Saturday day and Sunday day, and £20 for Saturday all day and evening if you book in advance, under 16s Free. And more good news – dogs are welcome and there’s reduced entry to Jimmy’s Farm for festival-goers. Jimmy’s Farm and Wildlife Park, Pannington Hall Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP9 2AR
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If you can manage steps, a 5 mile walk round Orford Ness is a bit daunting, or you’d like the opportunity for a closer look at the Cold War Atomic Weapons Research Establishment area, there are trailer tours on Sunday 28 July, at 9:30 – 12:30 and 13:30 – 16:30, though you need to arrive early. National Trust members £20, non-members £27, booking essential.
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Sutton Hoo’s celebratory Festival of Archaeology continues this weekend, Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 July, with Anglo Saxon re-enactments, crafts and tabletop battles. Roll some dice or paint a model warrior. From 10:00. Free, but entry to Sutton Hoo applies: National Trust members Free, non-member prices here. Tranmer House, Sutton Hoo, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 3DJ
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As mentioned in the article, Red Rose Chain’s Theatre in the Forest at Sutton Hoo started on Wednesday 24 July through to Saturday 24 August, except on Sundays and Mondays.
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