It won’t be long until we’re all enjoying those long, warm summer evenings, and what better way to spend them than by watching some fantastic outdoor theatre?

From classic works by Shakespeare and Jane Austen to family favourites like Peter Pan and the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, lots of talented troupes are bringing their open-air adaptations to stunning Kent venues this summer.

Beauty and the Beast

Chapterhouse Theatre

Giving this winter tale a summer twist, Chapterhouse is taking on a classic with Beauty and the Beast. The fairytale is being given an original soundtrack and an extra zing of humour, but the unexpected love story between bookworm Belle and the hot-headed Beast is still the same - it’s a tale as old as time, after all.

Dates:

Saturday, August 3 at Walmer Castle near Deal from 6pm

Sunday, August 18 at Belmont House in Faversham from 3pm

Book tickets online here.

The Comedy of Errors

The Handlebards

This cycling Shakespearean troupe are known for their unique style of showmanship. The quirky group of actors carry their props, costumes and sets from venue to venue on the back of their bikes before setting up for each show. The company like to focus on bringing sustainable open-air theatre to audiences all over the country using the most eco-friendly travel methods and recycled materials. This year, the production of choice is the farcical and hilarious Comedy of Errors.

Dates:

Saturday, June 1 at Riverhill Himalayan Gardens in Sevenoaks from 6pm

Sunday, June 2 at the Medway Yacht Club in Rochester from 4pm

Saturday, September 7 at Emmetts Garden in Ide Hill, near Sevenoaks, from 6pm

Book tickets online here.

Five Children and It

This Is My Theatre

Using puppets and live music, this whimsical reimagining of Edith Nesbit’s children’s novel is sure to delight young theatre-goers. When five siblings move from London to the Kent countryside and begin exploring their new home, they discover a mysterious fairy who can grant wishes and soon find themselves going on an unexpected adventure.

Dates:

Saturday, August 3 at Emmetts Garden in Ide Hill, near Sevenoaks, 3pm

Wednesday, August 7 at Goodnestone Park near Canterbury from 2.30pm

Friday, August 30 at St Mary's Church in Higham, near Strood, from 6.30pm

Book tickets online here.

Great Expectations

Quantum

Based on the novel by Charles Dickens, much of which was written at the author’s country home, Gads Hill in Higham, this thrilling adaptation brings the Medway-born novelist’s words to life. Taking on a traditional Dickensian theme with a slightly modern twist, this show features some of the most well-known characters from Victorian literature including Pip, Estella and Miss Havisham.

Dates:

Sunday, July 28 at Tonbridge Castle from 5pm

Sunday, August 25 at Scotney Castle near Tunbridge Wells from 7pm

Book tickets online here.

Hamlet

The Lord Chamberlain’s Men

To celebrate their 20th year, the actors of theatre company the Lord Chamberlain’s Men are bringing out the big guns. Hamlet, arguably one of the Bard’s most famous plays, is being performed as it would have been back in the Elizabethan era, with an all-male cast, traditional music and in the open air.

Dates:

Saturday, June 15 at Emmetts Garden in Ide Hill, near Sevenoaks, from 7pm

Book tickets online here.

Henry V

Changeling Theatre

Kent-based touring theatre company Changeling are known for their stellar outdoor performances that take place in and around the county each summer. This year, the talented group of local performers will take to the road once again with two productions, the first of which is Shakespeare’s Henry V. Based on the events of the Hundred Years’ War, the historic play documents the invasion of France by the English king.

Dates:

Friday, June 21 at Boughton Monchelsea Place near Maidstone from 7.30pm

Sunday, June 30 at Calverley Grounds in Tunbridge Wells from 5pm

Wednesday, July 3 at the Royal Albion Hotel in Broadstairs from 7pm

Tuesday, July 9 at Walmer Castle near Deal from 7.30pm

Thursday, July 11 at the Old School in New Romney from 7pm

Friday, July 12 at Belmont House in Faversham from 7pm

Sunday, July 14 at Margate Beach from 5pm

Wednesday, July 17 at Great Comp Garden near Sevenoaks from 7pm

Saturday, July 17 at the Tithe Barn in Lenham, near Maidstone, from 7.30pm

Wednesday, July 31 at Dartford Central Park from 7pm

Thursday, August 1 at Nurstead Court in Meopham, near Gravesend, from 7pm

Thursday, August 8 at Rochester Castle from 7pm

Saturday, August 10 at Scotney Castle near Tunbridge Wells from 7pm

Sunday, August 11 at Folkestone Amphitheatre from 5pm

Thursday, August 15 at Nine Oaks Vineyard in Hothfield, near Ashford, from 7pm

Saturday, August 17 at Boughton Monchelsea Place near Maidstone from 7.30pm

Sunday, August 18 at Boughton Monchelsea Place near Maidstone from 5pm

Book tickets online here.

Jemima Puddle-Duck

Quantum

The lovable tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck has been delighting families since Beatrix Potter first published the story in 1908. More than 100 years later, new generations are being introduced to Jemimia as she waddles the countryside looking for the perfect place to lay her eggs. When she almost falls prey to a man with dinner plates for eyes, it’s up to her new friend, Kip the farm dog, to save her. This retelling boasts a score by the company’s musical director, Gideon Escott.

Dates:

Sunday, July 28 at Tonbridge Castle from 2pm

Sunday, July 28 at Walmer Castle near Deal from 3.30pm

Sunday, August 4 at Scotney Castle near Tunbridge Wells from 6pm

Sunday, August 18 at Danson House in Bexleyheath, near Dartford, from 3pm

Wednesday, August 21 at the Powell-Cotton Museum in Birchington-on-Sea from 1pm and 5pm

Wednesday, August 28 at Pencester Gardens in Dover from 1pm

Book tickets online here.

Little Women

Chapterhouse Theatre

The coming-of-age story that has been a hit on the page and screen, and it’s now being brought to the stage. First written by American novelist Louisa May Alcott in the 1800s, Little Women tells the story of Jo March and her sisters, Meg, Amy and Beth, as they grow up and pursue different paths in life. The heartfelt tale of sisterly love and finding your way into adulthood comes with stunning period costumes and a musical score.

Dates:

Saturday, August 10 at Walmer Castle near Deal from 6pm

Book tickets online here.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

This Is My Theatre

One of the world’s most beloved Shakespeare plays, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, is often found touring the country at this time of year and is the perfect way to spend a summer’s evening. This enchanting show all about magic and mistaken identity features charming costumes, captivating music and endearing characters, from the fairy-folk to the young Athenian lovers.

Dates:

Friday, July 26 at The Friars in Aylesford, near Maidstone, from 7.30pm

Friday, August 9 at Chartham Vineyard near Canterbury from 7pm

Thursday, August 29 at St Margaret's Church in Horsmonden, near Tunbridge Wells, from 7.30pm

Sunday, September 1 at Mount Ephraim Gardens in Faversham from 5pm

Book tickets online here.

Persuasion

This Is My Theatre

This slapstick adaptation of Jane Austen’s Persuasion, in which former lovers Anne Elliott and Frederick Wentworth attempt to rekindle an old spark, is coming to outdoor stages all over the country. Similar to the company’s previous productions, including The Importance of Being Earnest and the Three Musketeers, the small group of actors will be chopping and changing characters throughout this chaotic comedy.

Dates:

Saturday, May 11 at St Mary's Church in Goudhurst from 7pm

Sunday, May 19 at Nine Oaks Vineyard in Hothfield, near Ashford, from 7pm

Thursday, May 30 at Chartham Vineyard near Canterbury from 7pm

Saturday, June 1 at Emmetts Gardens in Ide Hill, near Sevenoaks, from 7pm

Tuesday, June 18 at St Mary’s Church in Burham, near Rochester, from 7pm

Book tickets online here.

Peter Pan

Immersion Theatre

Take to the skies and journey to Neverland with Peter Pan, Tinkerbell and the Lost Boys this summer. The family favourite, which became a huge hit after the release of the Disney animated film in 1953, is brimming with audience interaction, a new side-splitting script and brilliant musical numbers that will have everyone, from kids to grandparents, on their feet.

Dates:

Tuesday, July 23 at Hever Castle in Edenbridge from 2pm

Thursday, August 22 at Emmetts Garden in Ide Hill, near Sevenoaks, from 3pm

Book tickets online here.

Present Laughter

Changeling Theatre

When playwright Noël Coward debuted his comedy, Present Laughter, social media and the internet didn’t exist. Fast forward almost a century later and the show has been updated for the Instagram generation by Changeling Theatre. The play follows Garry Essendine, a famous actor, fashion icon and charismatic playboy who suddenly finds himself in the grips of an identity crisis as he tries to figure out the balance between his genuine self and his screen and social media persona.

Dates:

Saturday, June 22 at Boughton Monchelsea Place in Maidstone from 7.30pm

Sunday, June 23 at Boughton Monchelsea Place in Maidstone from 5pm

Thursday, July 4 at the Old School in New Romney from 7pm

Sunday, July 7 at Penshurst Place near Tonbridge from 6.30pm

Wednesday, July 10 at Nurstead Court in Meopham, near Gravesend, from 7pm

Saturday, July 13 at Riverhill Himalayan Gardens in Sevenoaks from 7pm

Tuesday, July 16 at Swarling Manor near Canterbury from 7pm

Thursday, July 18 at Great Comp Garden near Sevenoaks from 7pm

Sunday, July 21 at Smallhythe Place in Tenterden from 7pm

Tuesday, July 23 at Upnor Castle near Rochester from 7pm

Sunday, July 28 at the Tithe Barn in Lenham, near Maidstone, from 5pm

Friday, August 2 at Biddenden Vineyards near Ashford from 7pm

Sunday, August 4 at Belmont House in Faversham from 5pm

Tuesday, August 6 at Dartford Central Park from 7pm

Friday, August 9 at Scotney Castle near Tunbridge Wells from 7pm

Friday, August 16 at Boughton Monchelsea Place near Maidstone from 7.30pm

Saturday, August 17 at Boughton Monchelsea Place near Maidstone from 2.30pm

Book tickets online here.

Pride and Prejudice

Chapterhouse

Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is widely recognised as one of the most well-known love stories in literary history. The characters have even been portrayed by Hollywood superstars including Keira Knightley, Rosamund Pike and Colin Firth. Now, the performers from Chapterhouse are bringing fans of the Regency-era romance their version of events, with elaborate Bridgerton-style costumes and a passionate musical score.

Dates:

Sunday, September 1 at Hemsted Park in Cranbrook from 4pm.

Book tickets online here.

Twelfth Night

Play On Words Theatre

Treat yourself to an evening of romance and comedy with a one-off performance of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Performed by Play on Words Theatre, who have previously put on productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Macbeth, the one-hour outdoor performance will be set against the backdrop of the campus’ picturesque pond.

Dates:

Friday, April 19 at Canterbury Christ Church University from 7pm

Saturday, April 20 at Canterbury Christ Church University from 7pm

Book tickets online here.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

This Is My Theatre

Follow the yellow brick road and find yourself transported to the Emerald City in this magical family show. Based on the novel by L. Frank Baum and the 1939 film starring Judy Garland, the play sees Dorothy Gale find her way through the eccentric land of Oz as she tries to escape the Wicked Witch of the West and get home with the help of the Tin Man, Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion.

Book tickets online here.

Dates:

Sunday, May 19 at Nine Oaks Vineyard in Hothfield, near Ashford, from 3pm

Sunday, June 2 at Mount Ephraim Gardens in Faversham from 5pm

Wednesday, June 19 at Chapel Down Winery near Tenterden from 7pm