Outdoor theatre at Polesden Lacey
Join us this summer for an exciting programme of outdoor theatre in the grounds of Polesden Lacey. Enjoy lively comedy inspired by Chaucer and commedia dell'arte, embrace your inner rock star with folklore's most notorious villain and experience two of Shakespeare's greatest plays like they have never been seen before.
Theatre at Polesden Lacey: a rich heritage
Polesden Lacey has a long tradition of putting on public open-air theatre – one of the earliest performances was a community production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 1951. A dedicated grassy stage area was later created in the grounds on ‘Theatre Lawn’, and a charity was formed to oversee theatrical productions in an initiative that ran over several decades. In recent years, Polesden Lacey’s staff and volunteers have worked hard to bring open-air theatre back to Polesden Lacey.
The Sheridan Theatre at Polesden Lacey
This summer sees the launch of the renamed open-air ‘Sheridan Theatre’, dedicated to the celebrated Anglo-Irish playwright, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, who came to live at Polesden Lacey in 1797.
We are delighted to present a lively programme of open-air productions in 2026, ranging from a rock musical to comedy influenced by commedia dell’arte, as well as two plays honouring the theatre’s Shakespearean roots.
Read on to discover what's playing at The Sheridan Theatre at Polesden Lacey this summer:
The Big Bad Wolf: A Rock Musical
Saturday 4 July, 6.30pm
Come on a musical journey of plotting and scheming with folklore’s most notorious villain - the Big Bad Wolf.
Living in exile in the Deep Dark Wood, the Big Bad Wolf parties and plays rock music every night with his cronies, far away from the goody-goody townspeople of Fairytaleville.
But whatever happened to Little Red Riding Hood? Did the Three Little Pigs go on to have a successful music career? And is the Wolf really as bad as he seems?
The Plandits are back on the road with this brand-new show bursting with live music, silliness and laughs for the whole family.
Adult £25.50, child £11.50 (includes booking fee)
The Wife
Sunday 5 July, 7pm
It’s spring on the road to Canterbury. Alyson of Bath, cloth-maker, widow, pilgrim, and five-times-married expert in the arts of love, has plenty to say and no intention of holding her tongue. As hooves clip-clop and birdsong bubbles, she tells of husbands rich and foolish, charming and cruel, and the hard bargains of love. Then comes her tale of a young knight, a terrible crime and a question that sends him wandering the world in search of an answer no one can agree on.
An hilarious and beautiful poetic romp of word, wit and song, the play bristles with provocation and maybe whispers a hard-won truth about love, power and what women most desire. The Wife is The Rude Mechanical Theatre Company’s original musical play inspired by Chaucer’s Wife of Bath. Bursting with live music, poetry and physical comedy, this outdoor production is by turns hilarious, provocative and tender.
Adult £25, child £11 (booking fee applies)
Macbeth
Saturday 11 July, 7pm
Join The HandleBards at Polesden Lacey for a hilariously high-octane production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth like you’ve never seen before. Forget the tears and tragedy, this performance of Macbeth is chock full of mishaps, mayhem and mirth. We all know the story. Three Witches promise Macbeth the Scottish crown and like any normal people would, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth plot to kill the king. Things get rapidly out of hand from there as foul deeds are done, plots unravel and mysterious spirits appear…
Suitable for all ages and apparitions. The HandleBards are an intrepid, three-strong troupe spending the summer bringing environmentally sustainable Shakespeare to venues across the UK.
Adult £20.50, child £5
Much Ado About Nothing
Saturday 18 July and Wednesday 22 July, 7pm
Glitz, glamour and scandal hit Messina in Changeling Theatre’s revival of Much Ado About Nothing. Think decadent costume balls and devious misdemeanours, in a play where love’s a battlefield and the gossip never stops. Beatrice and Benedick swear they can’t stand each other. Hero and Claudio seem picture-perfect until a little drama crashes their party. Lurking behind the cocktails and confetti is one deliciously devious Don John stirring up trouble.
It’s sharp, it’s funny, it’s Shakespeare’s ultimate romcom with more twists, tunes and turns than you can shake a stick at. Much Ado About Nothing is the perfect summer play.
Adult £25, child £11
Top tips to help you enjoy the show
We do not provide seating, so you are invited to bring your own folding chairs or a rug to sit on. You are welcome to bring a picnic, but we do not permit BBQs or large tents in the grounds. Please bring proof of booking with you. Check the webiste and local weather before you set off and dress accordingly. Gates open one hour before the performance starts.