Hampshire &amp; Isle of Wight


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="999" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/The-Handlebards-outdoor-theatre.jpg" alt="The Handlebards open air theatre Hampshire" class="wp-image-34093" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/The-Handlebards-outdoor-theatre.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/The-Handlebards-outdoor-theatre-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/The-Handlebards-outdoor-theatre-1000x666.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/06/The-Handlebards-outdoor-theatre-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: The Handlebards</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-romeo-amp-juliet-6-june-the-vyne-basingstoke"><em><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/hampshire/the-vyne/events/472abef4-6c09-4d0e-ae20-f920e1e3cf99" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Romeo &amp; Juliet</a>,</em> 6 June, The Vyne, Basingstoke</h2>



<p>Pack a blanket, camping chair and picnic and settle in on the sweeping north lawn of The Vyne for a fresh take on Shakespeare’s most famous love story. Performed by The Duke’s Theatre Company, this bold new production of <em>Romeo &amp; Juliet</em> pairs the timeless tragedy with original music and an impressive Tudor backdrop. Once a favourite haunt of Henry VIII, The Vyne provides a suitably dramatic setting for an evening of star-crossed romance under the summer sky.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-handlebards-present-as-you-like-it-11-14-june-furzey-gardens-minstead-new-forest"><a href="https://www.furzey-gardens.org/whats-on/the-handlebards-present-as-you-like-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Handlebards Present: <em>As You Like It</em></a>, 11-14 June, Furzey Gardens, Minstead, New Forest</h2>



<p>Pedalling from venue to venue complete with set and costumes, the HandleBards, a four-strong troupe of actors, bring a bicycle-powered, energetic open air theatre production of&nbsp;Shakespeare’s <em>As You Like It </em>to the beautiful Furzey Gardens over three evenings. (Catch it on <strong>7 June</strong> at <a href="https://chawtonhouse.org/whats-on/outdoor-theatre-the-handlebards-as-you-like-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chawton House</a>, near Alton).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-othello-11-june-the-elvetham-hartley-wintney"><em><a href="https://www.elvethamhotel.co.uk/whats-on" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Othello</a>, </em>11 June, The Elvetham, Hartley Wintney</h2>



<p>Shakespeare doesn’t get much more atmospheric than this. The Lord Chamberlain’s Men bring <em>Othello</em> to life with their signature all-male cast, period costumes, music and dance, recreating the play as it would have been performed in Elizabethan England. The setting is just as impressive: The Elvetham’s historic estate has hosted kings, queens and even, according to local legend, Shakespeare himself. It’s said that a pageant performed here for Elizabeth I inspired <em>A Midsummer Night’s Dream</em>, making this a particularly fitting spot to enjoy one of the Bard’s greatest tragedies.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-almost-complete-history-of-britain-20-june-the-vyne-basingstoke"><em><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/hampshire/the-vyne/events/876d5631-0f1d-46f9-85a3-0f8ff2a2dfd2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The (Almost) Complete History of Britain</a></em>, 20 June, The Vyne, Basingstoke</h2>



<p>History lessons were never this much fun. Expect mud, mayhem and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments as The Pantaloons race through centuries of British history in under two hours. From Henry VIII reimagined as a rom-com to the Spanish Armada as a comic operetta, this brilliantly bonkers outdoor production mixes live music, audience participation and glorious historical inaccuracy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-opera-in-the-garden-hms-pinafore-by-gilbert-amp-sullivan-21-june-the-dean-house-garden-sparsholt-winchester"><a href="https://www.garden-festival.co.uk/event.html?id=opera-in-the-garden" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Opera in the Garden: <em>HMS Pinafore</em> by Gilbert &amp; Sullivan</a>, 21 June, The Dean House Garden, Sparsholt, Winchester</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="956" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/06/Opera-Anywhere.jpg" alt="Opera Anywhere. HMS Pinafore by Gilbert &amp; Sullivan, 21 June, The Dean House Garden, Sparsholt, Winchester" class="wp-image-40321" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/06/Opera-Anywhere.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/06/Opera-Anywhere-800x510.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/06/Opera-Anywhere-1000x637.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/06/Opera-Anywhere-768x489.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: <em>HMS Pinafore. </em>Opera Anywhere</figcaption></figure>



<p>Pack up the picnic hamper and head to the gorgeous gardens of The Deane House for a gloriously British summer evening of Gilbert &amp; Sullivan. Performed by acclaimed touring company Opera Anywhere, <em>HMS Pinafore</em> brings plenty of wit, romance and toe-tapping tunes to this idyllic outdoor setting. With an extended interval to soak up the gardens &#8211; and hopefully the midsummer sunshine &#8211; it’s the perfect excuse for a cultured night out with friends and family. (Part of The Winchester Garden Festival 2026).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-great-gatsby-1-july-stansted-park-rowlands-castle"><em><a href="https://www.stanstedpark.co.uk/events/the-great-gatsby-outdoor-theatre" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Great Gatsby</a></em>, 1 July, Stansted Park, Rowlands Castle</h2>



<p>Champagne, jazz and plenty of dazzling drama come to the beautiful Walled Garden at Stansted Park as This Is My Theatre brings <em>The Great Gatsby</em> to life. This family-friendly adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic captures all the glamour and intrigue of the Roaring Twenties, complete with live music and a dynamic ensemble cast. Pack a picnic, pour something suitably Gatsby-esque and settle in.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-charley-s-aunt-1-4-july-furzey-gardens-minstead"><em><a href="https://furzeygardens.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173666122?__hstc=126028306.c08e63ad09c4587915000f59371e5df0.1780578382692.1780578382692.1780578382692.1&amp;__hssc=126028306.1.1780578382692&amp;__hsfp=eded526615fe573822aa80876b650152&amp;_gl=1*1n293fb*_ga*MTc2NjU2NTc5NS4xNzgwNTc4Mzc2*_ga_PWSQT3DLE7*czE3ODA1NzgzODEkbzEkZzAkdDE3ODA1NzgzODEkajYwJGwwJGgyMjk2MDI4OA.." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Charley’s Aunt</a></em>, 1-4 July, Furzey Gardens, Minstead</h2>



<p>What could be better than a classic farce in a magical woodland garden? SUP Theatre Company brings Rob Madge’s sparkling new adaptation of <em>Charley’s Aunt</em> to Furzey Gardens, serving up plenty of mistaken identities, romantic mishaps and laugh-out-loud comedy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-othello-chawton-house-alton"><em><a href="https://chawtonhouse.org/whats-on/outdoor-theatre-lord-chamberlains-men-othello/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Othello</a></em>, Chawton House, Alton</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/05/TLCM.Photo-credit-Jack-Offord.jpg" alt="The Lord Chamberlain's Men outdoor theatre company" class="wp-image-40324" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/05/TLCM.Photo-credit-Jack-Offord.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/05/TLCM.Photo-credit-Jack-Offord-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/05/TLCM.Photo-credit-Jack-Offord-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/05/TLCM.Photo-credit-Jack-Offord-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: The Lord Chamberlain’s Men. <em>Jack Offord.</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>Another chance to catch The Lord Chamberlain’s Men’s acclaimed open-air theatre production of Shakespeare’s gripping tragedy. Performed in authentic Elizabethan style, experience one of the Bard’s darkest plays set against the backdrop of East Hampshire&#8217;s historic Chawton House.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-as-you-like-it-12-july-the-vyne-basingstoke"><em><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/hampshire/the-vyne/events/d3d323f9-b3c9-4fd9-9945-41709fa3d362" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">As You Like It</a></em>, 12 July, The Vyne, Basingstoke</h2>



<p>Shakespeare’s sunniest comedy heads outdoors where it belongs, as award-winning theatre company Illyria transforms The Vyne’s beautiful grounds into the Forest of Arden. Expect mistaken identities, romantic entanglements and plenty of laughs as a talented five-strong cast brings this tale of love and self-discovery to life. Pack a picnic, bring a chair and settle in for a charming evening of open-air theatre beneath the summer sky.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-macbeth-16-17-july-furzey-gardens-minstead"><em><a href="https://furzeygardens.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173664205?__hstc=126028306.c08e63ad09c4587915000f59371e5df0.1780578382692.1780578382692.1780578382692.1&amp;__hssc=126028306.1.1780578382692&amp;__hsfp=eded526615fe573822aa80876b650152&amp;_gl=1*lh2usk*_ga*MTc2NjU2NTc5NS4xNzgwNTc4Mzc2*_ga_PWSQT3DLE7*czE3ODA1NzgzODEkbzEkZzAkdDE3ODA1NzgzODEkajYwJGwwJGgyMjk2MDI4OA.." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Macbeth</a></em>, 16–17 July, Furzey Gardens, Minstead</h2>



<p>Shakespeare, but not as you know it. The HandleBards return with their trademark blend of chaos, comedy and boundless energy, transforming <em>Macbeth</em> into a fast-paced outdoor romp packed with mishaps, mayhem and plenty of laughs. Set among the enchanting surroundings of Furzey Gardens, this family-friendly take on the Scottish play proves that even murder, witches and ghostly apparitions can be surprisingly good fun.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-shakespeare-revue-16-18-july-amp-macbeth-21-26-july-wylds-farm-petersfield"><em><a href="https://psfest.co.uk/the-shakespeare-revue/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Shakespeare Revue</a></em>, 16–18 July, &amp; <em><a href="https://psfest.co.uk/macbeth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Macbeth</a></em>, 21–26 July, Wylds Farm, Petersfield</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1145" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/06/Petersfield-Shakespeare-Festival-Wylds-Farm-3.jpg" alt="The Petersfiekd Shakespeare Festival open air theatre Hampshire outdoor theatre Hampshire" class="wp-image-40322" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/06/Petersfield-Shakespeare-Festival-Wylds-Farm-3.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/06/Petersfield-Shakespeare-Festival-Wylds-Farm-3-699x800.jpg 699w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/06/Petersfield-Shakespeare-Festival-Wylds-Farm-3-873x1000.jpg 873w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/06/Petersfield-Shakespeare-Festival-Wylds-Farm-3-768x879.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: The Petersfield Shakespeare Festival</figcaption></figure>



<p>The ever-popular <a href="https://psfest.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Petersfield Shakespeare Festival</a> returns to the enchanting setting of Wylds Farm with two very different takes on the Bard. First up is <em>The Shakespeare Revue</em>, a witty and irreverent mix of songs, sketches and comic twists on Shakespeare’s best-loved characters, perfect for a relaxed summer evening. Then comes <em>Macbeth</em>, reimagined in a near-future Britain where power is seized by force and ambition thrives in isolation. Pack a picnic and settle in for either laughter or high drama – or, ideally, both.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-she-stoops-to-conquer-25-july-17-august-furzey-gardens-minstead"><em><a href="https://www.furzey-gardens.org/whats-on/new-forest-open-air-theatre-present-she-stoops-to-conquer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">She Stoops to Conquer</a></em>, 25 July–17 August, Furzey Gardens, Minstead</h2>



<p>One of the highlights of Hampshire’s outdoor theatre season, New Forest Open Air Theatre brings Oliver Goldsmith’s much-loved comedy <em>She Stoops to Conquer</em> to Furzey Gardens. Expect mistaken identities, mischievous practical jokes and plenty of countryside capers, all brought to life with live music, dancing and the company’s trademark charm. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pinocchio-5-august-exbury-gardens-amp-steam-railway-exbury"><em><a href="https://exbury.co.uk/events/outdoor-theatre-pinocchio/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pinocchio</a></em>, 5 August, Exbury Gardens &amp; Steam Railway, Exbury</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/06/Illyria-open-air-theatre-Pinoccio.jpg" alt="Pinocchio by Illyria open air theatre outdoor theatre Exbury Gardens Hampshire New Forest " class="wp-image-40323" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/06/Illyria-open-air-theatre-Pinoccio.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/06/Illyria-open-air-theatre-Pinoccio-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/06/Illyria-open-air-theatre-Pinoccio-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/06/Illyria-open-air-theatre-Pinoccio-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Illyria&#8217;s <em>Pinocchio</em>.</figcaption></figure>



<p>A magical summer treat for families, Illyria’s outdoor production of <em>Pinocchio</em> brings the beloved wooden puppet’s adventures to life in the beautiful surroundings of Exbury Gardens. Expect music, mischief and plenty of heart as Geppetto’s wayward creation learns a few life lessons on his journey to becoming a real boy in an enchanting evening of Hampshire open-air theatre that&#8217;s sure to delight children and grown-ups alike.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-three-musketeers-11-august-exbury-gardens-amp-steam-railway"><em><a href="https://exbury.co.uk/events/outdoor-theatre-the-three-musketeers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Three Musketeers</a></em>, 11 August, Exbury Gardens &amp; Steam Railway</h2>



<p>Swashbuckling summer theatre doesn’t get much better than this. Illyria brings Alexandre Dumas’s <em>The Three Musketeers</em> to Exbury Gardens in a fast-paced adventure packed with sword fights, romance, intrigue and plenty of laughs. Follow young D’Artagnan as he joins forces with the legendary Musketeers in a quest filled with villains, royal scandal and daring escapades. Bring a picnic, claim your patch of lawn and get set for a thrilling evening of open-air escapism.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alice-s-adventures-in-wonderland-12-august-beaulieu"><em><a href="https://www.beaulieu.co.uk/events/alices-adventures-in-wonderland-this-is-my-theatre/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland</a></em>, 12 August, Beaulieu</h2>



<p>Tumble down the rabbit hole this summer as This Is My Theatre brings <em>Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland</em> to the beautiful grounds of Beaulieu. Packed with music, magic and larger-than-life characters, this family-friendly production follows Alice’s topsy-turvy journey through Wonderland, where grinning cats, mad tea parties and curious adventures await around every corner.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-great-gatsby-13-august-beaulieu"><em><a href="https://www.beaulieu.co.uk/events/the-great-gatsby-this-is-my-theatre/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Great Gatsby</a></em>, 13 August, Beaulieu</h2>



<p>Another chance to experience a touch of Gatsby glamour as This Is My Theatre transports audiences to the decadent Jazz Age with an open-air production of <em>The Great Gatsby</em>, set against the stunning backdrop of Beaulieu’s grounds.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-want-more">Want more?</h2>



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Best outdoor theatre shows to see this summer around Hampshire

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