Summer Theatre at Painshill Park, Cobham

June 9, 2023 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Join the HandleBards at Painshill for a hilarious, high-octane production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Four young lovers find themselves lost in a magical forest, where the Fairy King and Queen are fighting for the possession of a changeling boy. A group of amateur actors head to the same forest to rehearse for a play. Humans and fairies collide and hilarity ensues.

June 18, 2023 6:00 pm – 9:20 pm

Following a shipwreck, Viola is washed-up in Illyria, where her only chance for survival is to make use of her quick wit and fine singing voice, disguising herself as a man and applying to work in the court of Duke Orsino. The lovesick Orsino sends “him” to lady Olivia to woo her on his behalf, but Viola’s efforts are so successful that Olivia falls for Viola rather than Orsino. Meanwhile Olivia’s carousing uncle Sir Toby Belch crosses swords with her steward Malvolio and devises a wicked plan to humiliate him. It could all end in tears – even if most of them are of laughter.

July 15, 2023 6:00 pm – 9:20 pm

Illyria’s production of Jane Austen’s glorious social comedy attracted sell-out audiences for a total of six years. It toured throughout the UK and Europe, attracted nationwide critical acclaim. In a whirlwind of balls, dinners and very eligible officers, Lizzy Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy stand alone as the only sane, thoughtful people – and they hate each other! Or do they? Can she see beyond his pride, and can he overcome her prejudice, in order to achieve happiness?

July 29, 2023 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm

A story of marriage, wealth, jealousy and lies. Falstaff is down on his luck, so decides to restore his fortunes by seducing the wives of two wealthy merchants. The wives discover he sent them identical letters and take revenge by playing tricks on Falstaff when he comes calling. This comic humiliation of a foolish, would-be seducer is filled with live music and colourful characters.

August 4, 2023 6:00 pm – 8:40 pm

Macbeth in 40 minutes? Romeo & Juliet in 40 minutes? Both shows performed by only 4 actors in one evening! 440 Theatre are back with their ‘Double Bill’ for 2023. Two of Shakespeare’s Greatest Tragedies transformed into outrageous, fall-on-the-floor comedies. Not to be missed!

August 26, 2023 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

When a mother duck’s eggs hatch and one duckling looks different from all the rest, the other ducklings laugh and make fun of him. The awkward little bird sets off on his own and is met with hecklers, hunters, and cruel weather. Come and help him along on his journey, filled with live music, puppetry and colourful characters. Will the ugly duckling find his place in the world and discover true happiness? Bring along your picnics, folding chairs and friends and family, to enjoy this wonderful open-air, family musical!