Looking for something special to do with the kids before the summer holidays are over? There’s still time to catch some fantastic family-friendly outdoor theatre and live entertainment at Hever Festival Theatre this August.
From a swashbuckling pirate adventure and medieval mayhem to a spectacular Taylor Swift tribute, there are some brilliant shows coming up over the next couple of weeks – and several are particularly perfect for families.
Pack a picnic, grab a rug and make the most of the final weeks of summer with our pick of the shows you won’t want to miss at Hever Festival Theatre…
Treasure Island – Wednesday 19 August
Anne Boleyn’s Walk, Hever Castle | 2.30pm
First up is a swashbuckling afternoon of family fun as Quantum Theatre brings Treasure Island to Hever Castle.
Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale follows young Jim Hawkins, whose discovery of a mysterious treasure map takes him from the Admiral Benbow Inn to the high seas aboard the Hispaniola.
But Jim isn’t the only one searching for the treasure. Long John Silver and his crew of pirates are hot on his heels!
Packed with action, drama, sword fights and sea shanties, this outdoor production is a brilliant choice for families looking for something a little different to do during the summer holidays.
The performance takes place in the gorgeous woodland surroundings of Anne Boleyn’s Walk, where you can bring your own chairs, beanbags or rugs and settle down with a picnic. There’s also a theatre bar serving hot and cold drinks, snacks and ice creams.
Even better, your theatre ticket includes access to Hever Castle’s gardens afterwards, so you can make a whole afternoon of it. Head to the Tudor Towers Adventure Playground, tackle the Water Maze or simply explore the beautiful grounds.
Tickets: Adults £16.50 | Under 17s £13.13
Book Treasure Island tickets here.
King Arthur and the Holy Fail – Tuesday 25 August
Anne Boleyn’s Walk, Hever Castle | 2.30pm
Next up is an afternoon of knights, quests and medieval mayhem courtesy of The Three Inch Fools.
King Arthur and the Holy Fail takes the legends of Camelot and gives them a brilliantly silly twist.
After a rather improbable incident at Camelot, Arthur finds himself thrust into the quest of a lifetime. Expect heroic battles, blistering cold, scorching fire and plenty of things going spectacularly wrong along the way.
The Three Inch Fools are known for putting their own humorous spin on classic tales, making this a fun introduction to outdoor theatre for children as well as an entertaining afternoon for the grown-ups.
Again, it takes place amongst the trees at Anne Boleyn’s Walk, so bring a picnic, chairs, rugs or beanbags and make yourselves comfortable.
Tickets also include access to Hever Castle’s gardens after the performance, giving you the chance to combine the show with some time exploring the castle grounds, Tudor Towers Adventure Playground and the wonderful Water Maze.
Tickets: Adults £24.50 | Under 17s £17.06
Book King Arthur and the Holy Fail tickets here.
Taylor Swift: The Tour of the Eras – Wednesday 26 August
Two Sisters’ Theatre, Hever Castle | 8pm | Gates open 6.30pm
Got a Swiftie in the family? This one might earn you some serious brownie points!
The Tour of the Eras celebrates the music and magic of Taylor Swift, taking audiences on a journey through some of her biggest songs and most memorable musical eras.
Created by lifelong Swiftie and experienced performer Hannah Jenkins, the show combines live music, professional dancers, fabulous costumes and choreography with plenty of opportunities for the audience to sing along.
Hannah’s vocal and visual likeness helps recreate some of the excitement and atmosphere of a Taylor Swift concert, making this a particularly fun summer treat for young Swifties.
The performance takes place at Hever’s beautiful Two Sisters’ Theatre. Choose allocated covered seating or bring chairs, beanbags or rugs and watch from the lawn.
Gates open at 6.30pm, so there’s plenty of time to get settled before the show begins at 8pm.
Tickets: Covered seating from £34.90 | Lawn tickets from £29.90 | Under 17s from £13.13
Book The Tour of the Eras tickets here.
As You Like It – Monday 31 August
Chiddingstone Castle | 3pm
If you have older children or teens – or simply love Shakespeare – there’s one more family-friendly performance to squeeze in before September.
Multi-award-winning outdoor theatre company Illyria brings Shakespeare’s much-loved comedy As You Like It to nearby Chiddingstone Castle for an afternoon of romance, comedy and mistaken identities.
Set in the mysterious Forest of Arden, the story follows four very different pairs of would-be lovers, exploring love in all its complicated and frequently hilarious forms.
Performed outdoors by a five-strong cast of classically trained professional actors, it’s a lovely opportunity to introduce children and teenagers to Shakespeare away from the classroom.
The performance lasts approximately 140 minutes including an interval and is suitable for all ages.
Tickets: Adults £24.50 | Under 17s £17.06
Book As You Like It tickets here.
And a couple for the grown-ups…
There are plenty of reasons for parents to plan their own evening at Hever Festival Theatre before the summer ends too.
On Friday 28 August, MOBO-nominated vocalist and former Incognito lead singer Natalie Williams brings her incredible quintet to the Two Sisters’ Theatre. Expect an evening spanning soul, jazz and funk, with music inspired by Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack, Sting and more. Book The Natalie Williams Band here.
Also on Friday 28 August is something rather special – Flower Power: A Sunset Silent Disco beside the lake in Hever Castle’s Italian Gardens. International DJ Marcel Mendez will provide the soundtrack with uplifting house, disco, Balearic beats, Latin and Afro rhythms and Ibiza anthems. Doors open at 6.30pm for picnics on the lawn before the silent disco starts at 8pm. Book Flower Power here.
Then on Saturday 29 August, The Dusty Show celebrates the life and music of British pop icon Dusty Springfield. Starring Louise Anne Masters alongside a nine-piece band, expect classics including I Only Want To Be With You, Son Of A Preacher Man and You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me. Book The Dusty Show here.
Make the most of the final weeks of the summer holidays
If you haven’t made it to The Festival Theatre at Hever Castle yet this summer, there’s still time.
Whether it’s watching pirates battle it out amongst the trees, laughing along with King Arthur or singing Taylor Swift songs under the summer sky, these final family performances are a lovely way to squeeze in one more memorable day or evening out before September arrives.
And with performances taking place in some of the most beautiful outdoor settings at Hever Castle (and Chiddingstone Castle too), it feels like a fitting way to round off the summer holidays.
Take a look at the full Hever Festival Theatre programme and book your tickets today!
(this post has been published in collaboration with Hever Festival Theatre)