What's on at Hatchlands?
From family trails to outdoor theatre, find out what's coming up at Hatchlands this season.
Outdoor theatre at Hatchlands Park
Join us this summer for our series of outdoor theatre on the lawn at Hatchlands Park. Be captivated by Shakespeare’s classic tales of love and deception, enjoy swashbuckling adventures with pirates and musketeers and delight in the colourful joy of the Jungle Book and Pinocchio.
The Pirates of Penzance
Thu 23 July, 6.30-8.30pm
Illyria theatre returns to Hatchlands to perform one of Gilbert and Sullivan's most beloved comic operas. With its razor sharp satire and glittering wit, it remains as fresh as if it had been written today.
Frederick, accidentally apprenticed to Pirates as a child, is indentured to the Pirate King until his 21st birthday. On the day he reaches 21 he leaves the ship, announcing that he now intends to dedicate his life to the Pirates’ destruction. The Pirate King checks the contract’s small print – and realises that as Frederick’s birthday is 29 February on a leap year he has only had four birthdays and is actually indentured for another 63 years. With only the Penzance constabulary to protect him, will Frederick be forced to serve the pirates until he is 84? And will his sweetheart, Mabel, wait for him that long? Performed by a six-strong cast of actor/singers with fully orchestrated accompaniment.
Adult £21.68, child £10.84 (includes booking fee)
Othello
Sun 26 July, 7-9.05pm
Join The Lord Chamberlain’s Men this summer for Othello, one of the most captivating and thrilling plays ever written. See it performed how William Shakespeare first saw it, as The Lord Chamberlain’s Men – with a history stretching back to Shakespeare’s original company – present this play in the open air, with an all male cast and Elizabethan costumes, music and dance.
Othello, the Moor of Venice, a respected General in the Venetian army, promotes the young Cassio to be his Lieutenant over Iago, a soldier in his service. In doing so he unwittingly sparks Iago’s deep-seated hatred into terrifying life and sets in motion a horrendous spiral of vengeance and destruction that sweeps away everyone before it.
A powerful story of deception, jealousy and a man that loved not wisely but too well – this stunning and heartbreakingly poignant play is one you won’t want to miss.
Adult £21.08, child £13.18, family £61.13 (includes booking fee)
Romeo and Juliet
Sat 1 August, 7-8.50pm
Award-winning Immersion Theatre Company proudly presents an unforgettable adaptation of William Shakespeare’s iconic, Romeo & Juliet.
This powerful story of forbidden love and bitter rivalry is brought to life in a visual spectacle infused with comedy, heart-break, and danger.
Moving, funny, and tragic in equal measure, this beautiful production will see Immersion continue to build on their reputation for producing Shakespeare for all, be it the seasoned theatre-goer or budding literary enthusiast. This is Shakespeare as it’s meant to be: interactive, fun, and highly accessible!
Recommended age: 10+
Adult £17.34, child £13.01 (includes booking fee)*
The Three Musketeers
Sun 2 August, 6.30-8.45pm
All for One and One for All! Young D’Artagnan is desperate to join Athos, Porthos and Aramis as an elite Musketeer of the King’s Guard. But are his swashbuckling credentials sufficient?
To prove himself, D'Artagnan plunges headlong into a breathlessly thrilling adventure to retrieve the Queen’s jewels, restore Her Majesty’s honour, survive the machinations of scheming Cardinal Richelieu, and cross swords with the deadliest of femmes fatales Milady de Winter.
With a reputation for the finest swordplay in the business Illyria promises more dazzling swashbuckling than ever!
Recommended age: 8+
Adult £21.68, child £10.84 (includes booking fee)
Pinocchio
Fri 14 August, 6-7.35pm
Bring a picnic, sit back and enjoy Carlo Collodi’s classic story of Pinocchio as Illyria celebrates this magical coming-of-age tale in this thrilling musical outdoor show.
Childless toymaker Geppetto buys a piece of wood to make a puppet – little realising the chaos he is about to unleash. The puppet yearns for adventure and runs away, but instead of excitement only finds glorious attractions containing hidden dangers. He returns home hoping to be showered with sympathy and learns his tribulations are just beginning. Running away hasn’t worked; lying won’t work; he must become a real boy to achieve the belonging he craves.
Recommended age: 5+
Adult £19.51, child £10.84 (includes booking fee)
The Jungle Book
Sat 23 August, 6-7.45pm
Immersion Theatre are thrilled to bring their trademark energy to their wildly entertaining musical adaptation of the Rudyard Kipling family favourite, The Jungle Book.
Filled with original music, audience interaction, and a host of larger-than-life characters, you are invited to join Mowgli and his friends, Baloo the bear and Bagheera the panther, on a madcap jungle adventure as they meet and attempt to outwit a slithering snake, some cheeky monkeys, and the fierce tiger, Shere Khan.
Funny, exciting and wildly entertaining, this musical will have you howling with laughter: It’s the perfect treat for the whole family!
Recommended age: 4+
Adult £17.34, child £13.01, family £52.03 (includes booking fee)
What to bring
Please bring your own chairs or a rug. Picnics are very welcome. Light refreshments will be available in the interval. All performances will continue in wet weather, so please check the weather before you visit and dress accordingly. Gates open 30 minutes before the performance starts.