As summer approaches, Daily Info has selected the must-attend open air theatre and opera in Oxford and the surrounding area.
June
Jemima Puddle Duck
Waterperry Gardens on 8th June
Waddesdon Manor on 22nd August
Quantum Theatre brings Beatrix Potter’s much-loved tale to both Waterperry Gardens and Waddesdon Manor. Jemima Puddle-Duck tells the story of the titular figure trying to find a place to lay some eggs and a too-friendly fox who offers to help her.
The Magic Flute
St Mary’s Church (Long Wittenham) on 14th June
Opera Anywhere, the masters of accessible opera, perform Mozart’s folklore fairytale in English, which follows a young man who is drawn into a fantastical world and set off on a quest to save the Queen of the Night’s daughter.
Story Seekers
The Leys, Witney on 15th & 16th June
FloFest, Oxford on 22nd June
Blenheim Palace, Woodstock on 6th, 7th, 13th & 14th
The Oxford Playhouse’s popular Playhouse Plays Out Tent returns this summer with Story Seekers, following a pair who tell stories collected from across the world.
The Adventure of Dr Dolittle
Warwick Hall (Burtford) on 15th June
One of several shows Illyria Theatre are touring the country this summer, this is a family friendly adaptation of the story of the doctor who can talk to animals. Illyria recommend a chair and warm rug for the performance.
Oxford Shakespeare Festival
Oxford Castle and Grounds from 17th June to 10th August
One of the big fixtures of Oxford's summer cultural scene is the Oxford Shakespeare Festival, with a trio of Bard-based productions. BMH Productions present two condensed plays in one evening – Romeo & Juliet and Troilus & Cressida, Wild Goose Theatre bring the laughs with Twelfth Night, and Siege Theatre close things off with the tragic tale of vengeance, Hamlet.
The Winter's Tale
Friars Court (Clanfield) on 22nd June
One of Shakespeare's final plays, The Winter's Tale traverses from Sicilian courts to Bohemian festivities and is performed here with live music, puppetry and rich ensemble.
Much Ado About Nothing
Worcester College on 23rd June
There’s even more Shakespeare with this 60s-set production of Much Ado About Nothing, performing in the College gardens.
The Insect Circus
Abingdon riverside from 29th June to 11th
The Puppet Barge returns to the Abingdon riverside, and this year performs The Insect Circus, with various insects brought to life by the company's Victorian trick marionettes.
Present Laughter
Magdalen College School – 29th June
Playing as part of the Oxford Festival of the Arts, Noel Coward’s witty tale of a playboy’s identity crisis plays on Magdalen College School’s grounds.
Hamlet
Waterperry Gardens on 30th June
Waddesdon Manor on 1st August
The Lord Chamberlain’s Men mark 20 years of touring all-male versions of Shakespeare with Hamlet, which comes to both Waterperry Gardens and Waddeson Manor this summer.
July
Twelfth Night
Magdalen College School from 2nd to 4th July
Continuing a summer packed with Shakespeare, Magdalen College School present this comedic take on love, loss and longing as part of the Oxford Festival of the Arts.
MCS Madrigals on the River
Magdalen College School on 5th July
A tradition as part of the Oxford Festival of the Arts and one of the final events for this year is a concert of madrigals and folk songs performed on punts on the river.
The Comedy of Errors
Newbarn Farm (Chipping Norton) on 10th July
The Earth Trust on 11th July
The Handlebards are a touring Shakespeare company with a difference - the whole company travel to each location by bike. They come to two locales in Oxfordshire with the writer’s comedy of twins and mistaken identities.
Creation Theatre's Summer Season
Wycliffe Hall from 10th July to 17th August
Creation Theatre return this summer with a pair of open air productions playing in rep on the South lawn at Wycliffe Hall. The company will transform their space into the Forest of Arden for Shakespeare's As You Like It and the high seas for a family friendly take on Treasure Island. Featuring the company's rep company, you can take one or both and some days you can take in the pair across the day.
HMS Pinafore
St Katharine’s (Parmoor) on 14th July
Gilbert & Sullivan’s operetta of love and class gets the open air treatment from Opera Anywhere.
Much Ado About Nothing
University Parks from 15th to 27th July
Opera Theatre Guild’s annual open air production is this year Shakespeare’s spiky rom com, Much Ado About Nothing. Seating is provided by you may want to bring your own cushions.
Romeo and Juliet
Cogges Manor from 17th to 19th July
The tragedy of a pair of star-crossed lovers come to Cogges Manor with Truth Told Theatre’s production of Romeo & Juliet.
Alcina’s Island
Bampton Deanery on 19th & 20th July
This year Bampton Opera bring Gazzaniga’s fast-moving piece, Alcina’s Island to Bampton Deanery before they tour throughout the summer.
Richard II
Waddeson Manor on 21st July
A lesser spotted work of the Bard, Richard II follows the rule and tragic fall of King Richard II and promises an exciting production from Unbound Theatre.
The Wind in the Willows
Waterperry Gardens on 27th July
With a rich history in Oxfordshire, The Wind in the Willows is always a fun summer watch and Boxtree Productions present a musical version of Kenneth Grahame’s novel.
The Comedy of Errors
Wootton Village Hall on 27th July
Three Inch Fools tours the UK with Shakespeare's shortest comedy, a high farce of mistaken identities, relationship mix-ups and twins.
August
The Mikado
Heath Farm (Chipping Norton) on 3rd & 4th August
A third Opera Anywhere production for this summer comes in the form of The Mikado, Gilbert & Sullivan’s two act opera relocated to Ancient Rome.
As You Like It
Millets Farm on 7th August
Folksy Theatre return to Millets Farm for another evening of Shakespeare, this time the comedy following lovers as they flee to the Forest of Arden and get up to hijinks.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Waddesdon Manor on 8th August
The final open air Shakespeare production to come to the area is The Pantaloons’ anarchic A Midsummer Night’s Dream, perfect for the comedy of magical mayhem in the woods.
Warerperry Opera Festival
Waterperry Gardens from 9th to 18th August
An annual fixture of the summer calendar, the Waterperry Opera Festival presents three operas and three concerts across nine days, covering all aspects of opera in the beautiful surroundings of the gardens.
The Gondoliers
Waddeson Manor on 15th August
5th September on Cogges Farm
Illyria Theatre bring this Gilbert & Sullivan opera to both Waddesdon Manor and Cogges Farm this summer, promising an evening of laughter and music.
The Great Vegetable Plot
Waddeson Manor on 18th August
Unbound Theatre close off Waddesdon Manor’s summer of live theatre with a family friendly horticultural adventure.
The Little Mermaid
Waterperry Gardens on 31st August
The final Waterperry Garden production is IK Productions take on the beloved story of The Little Mermaid, a late summer family friendly treat.
September
The Hound of the Baskervilles
Minister Mill Hotel on 4th September
Illyria Theatre’s summer season finishes with a tale of mystery and intrigue with this take on the classic Arthur Conan Doyle thriller.
The Secret Diary of Henry VIII
Great Barn Festival on 15th September
A late summer treat, the Great Barn Festival takes place in and around the Great Coxwell Barn, and this year Three Inch Fools bring a comedic take on the life and rule of Henry VIII.