THE curtain is set to lift on a vibrant season of outdoor theatre, live music and cinema at picture-postcard locations in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight this summer.
From 1940s jazz to murder mysteries and The Tales of Beatrix Potter, there’s fun and excitement, drama and comedy to suit all ages with the National Trust's English summer season.
Mottisfont celebrates the 150th birthday of one of our most beloved children’s authors and illustrators, Beatrix Potter this summer. A highlight of the season is Quantum Theatre’s delightful new production, Once upon a time there were four little rabbits, which follows the escapades of two of our favourite - and naughtiest - characters, Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny. Find out what happens when they decide to explore Mr McGregor’s garden and all its enticing vegetables on July 22.
Other showstoppers include Murder on the Terrace at Mottisfont on July 14. The scene is set: a respectable garden party to celebrate Lord Cava’s retirement and the handing over of his sparkling wine empire is suddenly thrown into disarray by murder. The sardonic Inspector Back arrives to investigate, in this spoof Agatha Christie murder mystery comedy romp.
Mottisfont also hosts Ratburger on August 10. Poor Zoe; her hamster has died and her lazy stepmother, Sheila, doesn’t care. In fact, she’s so lazy that she wants Zoe to pick her nose for her — ewwww. And now, the evil Burt from Burt's Burgers wants to turn her pet rat into a burger! Join Heartbreak Productions for this hilarious thriller, adapted for the outdoor stage from David Walliams’ bestseller.
In the year that marks the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death, The Lord Chamberlain’s Men invite you to join them for Shakespeare’s sparkling, battle-of-the-sexes comedy, Much Ado About Nothing at The Vyne on August 13, while Hinton Ampner provides the setting for a Spitfire Sisters concert on July 9 and summer jazz sessions.
Mottistone Gardens on the Isle of Wight enjoys Tying the Knot, an interactive murder mystery set in the 1920s on two dates in July and the Dad's Army film on the big screen, while Bembridge Windmill hosts an outdoor production of Tempting Fete on three dates in July.
For more details, visit nationaltrust.org.uk/events.
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