Join in the festival fun at Tuckwell Amphitheatre this summer

The team at Tuckwell Amphitheatre and Bacon Theatre are super excited for the return of the annual Open-Air Theatre Festival next week. With a great line-up ahead, there will be lots of fun to be had for everybody, with guaranteed laughs, superb sing-alongs and exciting storylines to enjoy in a truly idyllic location.

The event runs from Tuesday 1 August until Sunday 13 August… so book your tickets now to avoid serious FOMO!

We asked the team to share their recommendations, to help our readers decide which performances to book! Read on for some great tips...

Production images from the Wizard of Oz

The Classical Lovers

For those who are a fan of literature classics, the Open-Air Theatre Festival has a great selection for you to choose from. Chapterhouse Theatre Company are joining us with their production of The Secret Garden (Tuesday 1^st at 7:30pm), a story which is loved by children and adults alike. A Tuckwell favourite, Jenny Wren Productions, are also in the line-up with Dickens’ tale of twists and turns, ups and downs, but also friendship, kindness and love – Nicholas Nickleby (Friday 4^th at 7:30pm).

For those who want a good laugh, The Pantaloons are returning with Shakespeare’s funniest farce, The Comedy of Errors (Wednesday 9^th at 7:30pm) and Folksy Theatre will be bringing their production of The Merry Wives of Windsor (Tuesday 8^th at 7:30pm), another of Shakespeare’s comedic classics. Lastly, but by no means least, Tethered Wits will be joining us with their adaptation of The Great Gatsby (Saturday 5^th at 7:30pm), capturing the glamorous façade of the 1920’s in style. Unfortunately, Leonardo Di Caprio will not be making an appearance!

The Movie Lovers

For those that enjoy watching great movies whilst under the beautiful, starry sky - look no further! This year’s al fresco films include the 80’s coming-of-age classic, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (Thursday 3^rd at 9pm) and much-loved musical, Mamma Mia (Sunday 6^th at 9pm).

Four of the many outdoor theatre performances taking place during the Open-Air Theatre Festival

The Romantics

For those who are looking for that summer romance, we have Heartbreak Productions returning with their adaptation of Sense and Sensibility (Wednesday 2^nd at 7:30pm), Jane Austen’s biting social satire about sisters in straitened circumstances. For those who are big Jane Austen fans, we also have DOT Productions performing her final novel, Persuasion (Thursday 10^th at 7:30pm), following the love story of Anne Elliot and where we find out whether love conquers all.

The Music Lovers

For those who are looking for a bit of swing in the summer evening, Peter Gill & The Good Time Charlies (Friday 11^th at 7:30pm) are back with their usual eclectic mix of cool swing standards and boogie woogie, rock ‘n’ roll and blues favourites! We also have Opera Anywhere returning with their ingenious new production, The Mikado (Sunday 13^th at 3pm). This is a sparklingly clever story with twists and turns at every scene, but this time it is set in Ancient Rome!

Family Favourites

We wouldn’t be the Tuckwell Open-Air Theatre Festival if we didn’t have a great selection of shows suitable for the family. First up, we have Tethered Wits, and their remarkably lifelike puppets, performing the classic story of the extraordinary animal doctor, Doctor Dolittle (Saturday 5^th at 3pm). There will even be a chance to meet the ‘animals’ at the end! For those who enjoy the David Walliams books, Heartbreak Productions will be bring their adaptation of Bad Dad (Sunday 6^th at 3pm), the warm-hearted tale that follows the highs and lows of a father-son relationship. Also joining us is DOT Productions with their new adaptation of Alice in Wonderland (Thursday 10^th at 3pm), which will be full of fun and laughter and bound to make even the smallest member of your family not want to leave Wonderland. Lastly, we are delighted for Immersion Theatre to be back with The Wizard of Oz (Saturday 12^th at 3pm), a magical family show guaranteed to have you in stitches from beginning to end!

Tuckwell Amphitheatre is a truly beautiful setting for the annual Open-Air Theatre Festival

To see the full programme and book your tickets visit the Bacon Theatre website or call the Box Office on 01242 258002. Open Mon-Wed-Fri, 9am – 12pm.

Don’t forget to bring your camping chairs. Picnics are welcome, and we will also have a range of drinks and snacks for you to enjoy. We can’t wait for you to join us.

For the latest information and upcoming events, follow along on Facebook (@The Bacon Theatre / @TuckwellAmphitheatre) and Instagram (@bacontheatre / @tuckwellamphitheatre).

For more summer inspiration check out - Summer events in Cheltenham.