OUTDOOR THEATRE AT TOLETHORPE

The summer season is underway and Tolethorpe Hall has reopened its unique woodland stage for another season of alfresco theatre just outside Stamford. The weather has made it perfect for a picnic so if you haven't been to a show yet, Daisy Wade Richardson brings you a round up of what's on the outdoor stage...

This summer, over 30,000 visitors will enjoy one (or more) of the four main productions running from now through to August. Whether you’re packing a picnic or dining at The Fig Tree, Tolethorpe offers the perfect day out. Nestled in the grounds of the historic hall, the theatre offers a rare mix of open-air performance and covered seating; you won’t need to check the forecast before taking a look at this year’s wonderful line-up.

The season is underway with Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, running until July 21. Dive into a sharp, fast-paced comedy full of witty exchange, bold characters, and shocking twists in a story of love, money, and marriage. This playful yet thought-provoking take on identity and power comes alive with physical comedy and just the right amount of mischief.

For those of you who love a murder mystery, step into the intrigue of The Mirror Crack’d, running through to August 16. Set in a quiet English village turned crime scene, this new stage version of Agatha Christie’s classic brings glamour, secrets and a slowly tightening web of suspicion - it’s going to be a killer!

This month marks the arrival of a much darker tale: Macbeth. This brooding, high-stakes production places you at the heart of a story where ambition is ruthless and absolutely nothing is as it seems. Fast-paced and intense, it captures all the menace of Shakespeare’s shortest tragedy.

Also running in July is a reimagining of Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff, taken from the Liverpool docks as a boy, finds fierce love in Catherine Earnshaw - and when fate drives them apart, vengeance takes root. Don’t miss this timeless story of passion gone awry.

Praised by The Sunday Times as 'one of the finest things to do this summer', Tolethorpe’s theatre has long been a favourite. With a setting this beautiful and a line-up this strong, it’s easy to see why…

Tickets start at £15.50. To book, call 01780 917240 or visit www.tolethorpe.co.uk.

Daisy Wade Richardson