The #CulturalConcierge Left : Holker Hall Garden | Top right : Muncaster Castle Outdoor Theatre | Bottom right : Shakespear
This itinerary will guide you through exploring in the Lake District this Summer.
Longer summer days and warmer weather marks the start of outdoor theatre, summer shows, picnic season and strawberry teas. So, dig out the picnic basket, shake out the rug and start planning summer afternoon and dusky evenings, chilled fizz and strawberries. It’s fair to say that outdoor theatre is for the dedicated, the curious, the adventurous – it goes ahead whatever the weather – and I’ve enjoyed them on balmy summer days and stormy evenings overlooking moody lakes –without exception they’ve all been memorable. The trick is to be prepared. Take the advice of a seasoned regular – you can’t have too much stuff! Seating is not provided. A rug is essential, a low back chair for comfort, an umbrella – for shade or rain protection! And a well-stocked picnic basket (and check out if the venue is doing takeaways or BBQs) Be a weather optimist - pack the sunscreen and a hat. This year it feels even more exciting - getting back to live performances, supporting actors, musicians, and production crews – and the adventure of doing it all in the open air. We’re British after all! Here’s my roundup of what’s on this summer! The Merry Wives of Windsor are visiting two of our heritage gardens this summer. Five actors, with all manner of musical instruments, with an inventive take on Shakespeare’s raucous comedy at Lowther Castle
on Tuesday 29 June and then on to Muncaster Castle on Friday 2 July both start at 7pm. Prepare for a lively event as The Three-Inch Fools give this Shakespearean classic the full ‘Fools’ treatment with lots of live musicmaking, deft physicality, vibrant story-telling with quick costume change along the way! Book tickets in advancelowthercastle.org and muncaster.co.uk. Let’s stay with Shakespeare as we encounter The Tempest – blowing up a storm (well, we hope not!) at Talkin Tarn Country Park on Thursday 8 July. Shakespeare specialists The Pantaloons Theatre Company take us on a voyage to an enchanted island full of adventure, romance, magic and… monsters in the Bard’s brilliant tale of shipwrecks, sorcerers and silly servants. Starts at 7pm. Book online, thepantaloons.co.uk/the-tempest/ . Holker Hall presents Tales of Oz, for a proper family day out on Saturday 10 July. It will take us on a different road to adventure, this time a yellow brick road – as we’re off to see the Wizard. The whole garden is the stage, and your little Munchkins will literally travel with Dorothy to the Emerald City on a charming ‘walk along, sing a long adventure’. Pack your pop and cupcakes for the picnic
