Bucks &amp; Oxon

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Creation Theatre, South Oxford Adventure Playground</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Much-Ado-IMG_7377-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-147562" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Much-Ado-IMG_7377-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Much-Ado-IMG_7377-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Much-Ado-IMG_7377-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Much-Ado-IMG_7377-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Much-Ado-IMG_7377.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



For Shakespeare in the sunshine &#8211; said hopefully &#8211; check out Creation Theatre. They&#8217;ve teamed up with&nbsp;OVO&nbsp;for a rather special reimagining of the comedic love story,&nbsp;<a href="https://creationtheatre.co.uk/show/much-ado/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Much Ado About Nothing</a>, transporting the story from 16th Century Messina to 1980s Britain. With Prosecco on ice, twinkling lights and blankets, enter stage left for what sounds like the perfect summer evening. From 12 July-19 Aug catch them at&nbsp;South Oxford Adventure Playground.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oxford-castle-and-prison-oxford">Oxford Castle and Prison, Oxford</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/07/oxford-castle.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-73052" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/07/oxford-castle.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/07/oxford-castle-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/07/oxford-castle-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/07/oxford-castle-720x480.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Wild Goose Theatre is setting up in the castle yard for this year’s annual Oxford Shakespeare Festival, putting on productions of Romeo and Juliet (3-29 Jul) and A Midsummer Night&#8217;s Dream (1-13 Aug) by Siege Theatre. Fingers crossed for no rain, although there are various refund options if the heavens open. Buy tickets (from £16) <a href="https://www.oxfordcastleandprison.co.uk/the-oxford-shakespeare-festival/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-waddesdon-manor-aylesbury">Waddesdon Manor, Aylesbury</h2>



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There are loads of treats on at glorious Waddesdon Manor this summer. Much Ado About Nothing kicks off the programme &#8211; just get yourself to the Woodland Café by 2pm on the 23 Jul and the performance is free (with grounds admission). Then there&#8217;s Alice in Wonderland on 3 Aug, followed by Wind in the Willows on 10 Aug and The Tales of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny on 17 Aug. You&#8217;ll need to book tickets for these ones. 



For something a bit different, check out Gertrude and Dorothy. These two inspirational women &#8211; Gertrude Jekyll, horticulturalist and Dorothy Levitt, Britain&#8217;s first racing driver &#8211; have never met, until now. A comical crime caper, there are three free performances on 20 Aug at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 2.30pm. On 24 Aug, it&#8217;s the turn of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men who present Romeo and Juliet with an all male cast just like in Shakespeare&#8217;s day, Elizabethan costumes, music and dance. And, last but not least, Robin Hood on 31 Aug at 6.30pm. Bring chairs, blankets, a picnic and suitably warm clothes to pad back down to the car park. <a href="https://waddesdon.org.uk/type/music-film-theatre/">Book tickets here</a> and enjoy!



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chipping-norton-theatre-chipping-norton">Chipping Norton Theatre, Chipping Norton </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="687" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/06/1200px-Wroxton_Manor.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-132295" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/06/1200px-Wroxton_Manor.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/06/1200px-Wroxton_Manor-800x550.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/06/1200px-Wroxton_Manor-400x275.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/06/1200px-Wroxton_Manor-764x525.jpeg 764w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



The Cotswolds-based Chipping Norton Theatre always punches above it&#8217;s weight and is taking a production of David Walliam&#8217;s Bad Dad to Cornbury Park on 17 Aug. Settle back and enjoy this warm-hearted tale that follows the highs and lows of a father-son relationship as they navigate their way through car chases and convicts. Just make sure you pack your picnic, grab your wet weather gear or sun-cream (or both!) and bring something to sit on. Prices start at £12 for under 16s and £14 for everyone else. Buy tickets <a href="https://www.chippingnortontheatre.com/whats-on/bad-dad-cornbury-park">here</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-waterperry-gardens-wheatley">Waterperry Gardens, Wheatley</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/07/waterperry-ampitheatre.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-71810" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/07/waterperry-ampitheatre.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/07/waterperry-ampitheatre-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/07/waterperry-ampitheatre-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/07/waterperry-ampitheatre-720x480.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



The open air amphitheatre at Waterperry Gardens is perfectly designed for outdoor performances, and there’s quite a selection this summer. Still to come is Hercules, described as &#8220;delightfully daft&#8221; family fun, on 29 Jul and the enduring A Midsummer Night&#8217;s Dream on 5 Aug. The Waterperry Opera Festival is quick to follow between 11 &#8211; 20 Aug with eight productions including a double bill of Handel&#8217;s Acis and Galatea, Purcell&#8217;s Dido and Aeneas (16, 18, 20 Aug), and Bizet&#8217;s Carmen (11, 12, 15, 17, 19 Aug). Book your tickets <a href="https://www.waterperryoperafestival.co.uk/">here</a>. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bletchley Park, North Bucks</h2>



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Next up on our Shakespearean set list is another showing of the magical&nbsp;<a href="https://bletchleypark.org.uk/event/outdoor-theatre-july/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Midsummer Night&#8217;s Dream</a>. Performed by the&nbsp;Bear in the Air Production Company&nbsp;in the grounds of&nbsp;Bletchley Park in bucolic North Bucks, bring a picnic and settle in as the fairies start wreaking havoc in this cherished comedy. Showing on&nbsp;29 July&nbsp;and again on&nbsp;26 Aug at 6pm.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-arches-near-olney-mk">The Arches, near Olney, MK</h2>



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Everything The Arches does is in the open air, thanks to the unique location of the theatre under disused railway arches in Clifton Reynes near Olney. First up this year is comedy spy thriller The 39 Steps (27-29 Jul), followed by Much Ado About Nothing performed by British Touring Shakespeare (5 Aug) and The Paul Simon Story (11 Aug). Next up is a gallop through Greek mythology with Pandora’s&nbsp;<s>Box</s>&nbsp;Jar written by Sunday Times award-winning playwright Tiff Woodsmith and directed by Susana Alcantud (19 Aug). 



On the 20 Aug, there&#8217;s two new adaptations to enjoy &#8211; Alice in Wonderland at 1pm and Persuasion, based on Jane Austen&#8217;s final novel, at 5pm. Join Toad and friends for some rip roaring fun on 26 Aug at 2.30pm for a performance of The Wind in the Willows. If you&#8217;ve got stamina, you can see A Midsummer Night&#8217;s Dream is on the same day in the evening. The season ends with an Agatha Christie mystery Towards Zero (1-2 Sep). Phew! Now&#8217;s the time to make your choices and book your tickets <a href="https://www.thearchestheatre.co.uk/">here</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Daws Hill Vineyard, Radnage</h2>



Theatre in a vineyard &#8211; where do I sign up? The gorgeous folk at&nbsp;Daws Hill Vineyard&nbsp;in pretty Radnage, in the Chilterns,&nbsp;are hosting an exciting open air production&nbsp;of&nbsp;<a href="https://dawshillvineyard.co.uk/event/robin-hood-this-is-my-theatre/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robin Hood</a>. Bring a picnic, sit back and enjoy the music, song (and sword fights!) as everyone&#8217;s favourite outlaw takes on the Sheriff of Nottingham. Suitable for all ages, grab your tickets <a href="https://www.thisismytheatre.com/daws-hill-vineyard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> and catch it on&nbsp;30 July, 3-430pm.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stonor-park-near-henley-on-thames">Stonor Park, near Henley-on-Thames</h2>



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Don’t miss the side-splitting madcap world of ever-popular Giffords Circus, which arrives at Stonor Park in Jul. This year’s show inspired by 19th century French Romanticism &#8211; <a href="https://chiswickhouseandgardens.org.uk/event/giffords-circus-les-enfants-du-paradis/">Les Enfants du Paradis</a>&nbsp;(Children of Paradise) &#8211; features acrobats, jugglers, horses, musicians, dancers and the much-loved Tweedy the Clown. Expect magical sets, gorgeous costumes, and a whole load of whimsical fun. With performances from 13 &#8211; 24 Jul, you can also book a rustic three course feast courtesy of Circus Sauce, Gifford’s travelling licensed restaurant (£50 for adults and £30 for kids). Tickets for the show and meal are available <a href="https://www.stonor.com/events/carpa/">here</a>.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-garsington-opera-high-wycombe">Garsington Opera, High Wycombe</h2>



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We’re halfway through Garsington Opera’s summer season on the bucolic Wormsley Estate but be warned, tickets go like gold dust. Still up for grabs is&nbsp;Strauss’ Ariadne Auf Naxs&nbsp;(18 Jun – 21 Jul), then&nbsp;The Bartered Bride&nbsp;is on between 30 Jun – 21 Jul. Info and tickets&nbsp;<a href="https://www.garsingtonopera.org/whats-on">here</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-langley-park-iver">Langley Park, Iver</h2>



Click your heels and join Dorothy, the scarecrow, cowardly lion and tin man as they go in search of The Emerald City. This faithful retelling of The Wizard of Oz promises to have you clapping, singing and shouting as the tale unfolds (27 Jul, 5pm). Then there&#8217;s an interactive, fast paced version of Shakespeare&#8217;s Twelfth Night by Immersion Theatre (28 Jul, 6.30pm). Make sure you take a chair or picnic blanket and lots of layers! <a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/outdoor-theatre-langley-park-2053439">Book</a> your tickets now.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Have picnic rug, will travel</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-regent-s-park-open-air-theatre-london">Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, London</h2>



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It’s further afield, sure, but there’s something just so summer-defining about attending a performance in Regent’s Park. This year, you can watch the legend of&nbsp;Robin Hood&nbsp;(17 Jun &#8211; 22 Jul), which is best suited for those aged 8+ (and under 4s won’t be allowed in). For smaller theatre goers, Shakespeare&#8217;s The Tempest&nbsp;(30 Jun &#8211; 22 Jul) is reimagined for ages six and over, and there&#8217;s also the return of the much loved&nbsp;Dinosaur World Live, including special meet and great ops after the show (30 June&nbsp;–&nbsp;22 Jul).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Chiswick House and Gardens, London</h2>



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Over in fair Verona … or erm on the gorgeous lawn at Chiswick House, dive into the Italian summer with star-crossed lovers&nbsp;Romeo and Juliet&nbsp;(5 Jul) performed by the&nbsp;Lord Chamberlain’s Men&nbsp;with an all-male cast. Bring your own chair or picnic blanket – doors open at 6pm and the play starts at 7pm. Choose and book your <a href="https://chiswickhouseandgardens.org.uk/whats-on/">tickets</a> today.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-for-more-outdoor-action-try-these">Looking for more outdoor action? Try these: </h2>



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