Outdoor theatre is making a comeback to Redcar and Cleveland for another summer of al fresco performances.
The shows will take place within the stunning grounds of Kirkleatham Museum and Gisborough Priory from July through to September - with something for all ages and tastes.
Comedian and actor David Walliams' best-selling book Awful Auntie will be staged for the little ones on Sunday 4 September by Heartbreak Productions in the grounds of Kirkleatham Museum, whilst classic literature lovers can enjoy an Illyria performance of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream on Friday 12 August at Gisborough Priory.
More Shakespearean tales are on offer with an Oddsocks twist on Hamlet in 'Hamlet The Comedy', due to be performed at Kirkleatham Museum on Thu 7 and Fri 8 July.
An Oliver Gray adaptation of J.M. Barrie's children's classic, Peter Pan, will be performed at Gisborough Priory on Sunday 24 July, when audiences can join Peter, Wendy, Tinkerbell and the evil Captain Hook for an afternoon in Neverland, with 'real' flying.
“There is a great range of family performances on offer this summer, and in two of the loveliest cultural settings in our borough," said Councillor Louise Westbury, cabinet member for Climate Change, Environment and Culture. “People can pack their picnic hampers and chairs and come along to make some new memories."
For more details on shows, prices and booking links, please see below.
Awful Auntie - Heartbreak Productions
Running time: 2 Hours | Age: 7+
Sunday 4 September - 3pm (gates open at 2pm)
Kirkleatham Museum & Grounds, TS10 5NW
Adult £15
Child (0-16yrs) £12
Concession – N/A
Family (2A + 2C/1A + 3C) = £50
Ticket link: Heartbreak Productions presents AWFUL AUNTIE by DAVID WALLIAMS at Kirkleatham Museum event tickets from TicketSource
Tickets are non-refundable
Awful Auntie by David Walliams, adapted for the outdoor stage by Heartbreak Productions, is a truly thrilling tale. Owls, ghosts, chases, escapes, motorcycle rides and tiddlywinks all fill Stella's days as she evades her menacing Aunt and saves the family home. Make sure you bring a blanket or chair to sit on, weather-appropriate gear and a picnic, as the tale could take some time to tell, and storytelling can be hungry work!
Illyria presents Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream
Gisborough Priory, TS14 6HG
Friday 12 August 2022 at 7pm (gates open at 6pm)
Adult £15
Child (0-16yrs) £12
Concession – N/A
Family (2A + 2C/ 1A + 3C) £50
Ticket Link – ILLYRIA presents A Midsummer Night's Dream at Gisborough Priory event tickets from TicketSource
The award-winning outdoor theatre company, Illyria, is celebrating its 30th birthday. They are restaging their fantastic production of A Midsummer Night's Dream to mark this incredible milestone! A Midsummer Night's Dream is the first Shakespeare play Illyria ever performed. An enduring tale of love and loss, this production promises magic and mischief for all ages as we follow four couples navigating the trials of romance, lust - and an enchanted forest. Escape into the great outdoors for the perfect midsummer's night of entertainment!
Hamlet The Comedy - Oddsocks
Thursday 7th & Friday 8th July 2022
Kirkleatham Museum & Grounds, TS10 5NW
Redcar
TS10 5NW
7pm (gates open at 6pm)
Adult £15
Child (0-16yrs) £12
Family (2A + 2C/ 1A + 3C) £50
Ticket link -TicketSource - Discover Great Events & Things To Do Near You
'Hamlet The Comedy' finds the eponymous royal student returning home for the summer holidays to find something rotten in the state of Denmark - and it's more than just the bag of dirty washing! Mum's married Uncle Claudius and Dad's dishing the dirt from his grave – it's enough to make a teenager mad. Things will never be the same again in the Hamlet household.
Shakespeare's famous tragedy is performed as you've never seen before with lots of laughs, music and memorable moments.
Suitable for all ages.
Illyria presents J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan
Gisborough Priory, TS14 6HG
Running time (approx): 1hr 40mins (including 20 minute interval)
Suitable for: all ages 5+
Sunday 24 July at 3pm (gates open at 2pm)
Adult £15
Child (0-16yrs) £12,
Family (2A + 2C/ 1A + 3C) £50
Concession – N/A
Tickets are non refundable
Ticket link - ILLYRIA presents PETER PAN by J.M. Barrie at Gisborough Priory event tickets from TicketSource
Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie, adapted by Oliver Gray, sees Wendy Darling - certain she saw the face of a boy at her bedroom window three floors up – struggling to make people believe her. So who can blame her when she agrees to fly away to the idyllic Neverland with the mysterious boy? But is Neverland as perfect as it seems? Or will the evil Captain Hook and his band of pirates kill Peter and rule over it themselves?
Peter Pan was first performed by Illyria in 1997. It has been performed outdoors many times since by many different companies. But Illyria's 2022 production will be the first to feature 'real' flying!
Peter Pan is presented by arrangement with Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity and Concord Theatricals Ltd on behalf of Samuel French Ltd.
www.concordtheatricals.co.uk