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You are here > What's On > Outdoor Cinema & Theatre
When summer comes along, many of Nottinghamshire's best-loved heritage attractions play host to a variety of outdoor film and theatre performances. Along with popular films screened underneath the stars, this 2022 you can catch Shakespeare plays, delightful comedies and fun-filled children's theatre in the picturesque grounds of historic houses and country parks.
Rally your friends, grab a picnic blanket, bring along some delicious snacks and settle down for a relaxing and entertaining day.
Performances take place around the county from April to September. Here's our round-up of some of the highlights.
Enjoy the manicured gardens and beautiful ruins of Newstead Abbey, the ancestral home of Romantic poet Lord Byron, before checking out the outdoor theatre and cinema lined up for June and September.
Experience magical evenings of literacy classics such as Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre. Take in the heartfelt tale of Awful Auntie from best-selling author David Walliam, or check out Peter Pan for an adventure-filled evening with crazy crocodiles, pesky pirates and exciting escapes. For more information including dates, please click here.
Settle down for a screening of your cult favourites at their outdoor cinema. If you're a lover of musical films - Newstead Abbey has got you covered! Laugh along to Sister Act or embrace your inner dancing queen whilst enjoying the hits of ABBA in Mamma Mia. Watch the compelling story of Freddie Mercury and Queen's skyrocket to fame in Bohemian Rhapsody which brings to life some of their most iconic tracks. For more information including dates, please click here.
Wollaton Hall and Deer Park is a spectacular Elizabethan mansion and park set in the heart of Nottingham and throughout June to September there are a variety of shows performed live against this stunning backdrop.
Starting with a hilarious theatrical retelling of the Gunpowder Plot on Thursday 16 June, you can also see Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummers Night Dream and As You Like It , plus a modern re-telling of the classic fairy tale of Cinderella. For more information including dates, please click here.
More into films than theatre? Luna Outdoor Cinema is taking place at Wollaton Hall this August, so get excited for screenings of West Side Story, Harry Potter, and Grease.
Set in the centre of this picturesque town, the glorious Southwell Minster and its neighbouring ruin the Archbishop's Palace, are architectural and historical gems of north Nottinghamshire. Set within beautifully kept gardens, they once again will be an impressively grand backdrop for outdoor theatre this year. On September 3, The HandleBards are back by popular demand with their comedic retelling of one of Shakespeare’s plays, Twelfth Night, or how about a showing of Edith Nesbit’s The Railway Children? Get your singing voices and dancing shoes at the ready as tribute act, 21st Century ABBA, play all the best songs from your favourite Swedes.
Nestled in the tranquil, rural countryside just outside of the city, Holme Pierrepont Hall is a fascinating Tudor house which remains a family home. Along with stunning displays of snowdrops in February, tulips in spring and herbaceous borders in the summer, the house is host to exhibitions and events. Set to be a tremendous summer evening of entertainment in the East Garden, the Festival Players Theatre Company presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare.
With gardens designed by Capability Brown, and a magnificent Regency house, Belvoir Castle will provide the ultimate backdrop for a fabulous night of outdoor cinema under the stars. This June, watch Steven Speilbergs adaption of West Side Story or musical classics such as Mamma Mia and Rocky Horror.
On the 13th August, Heart Break Productions will get you donning your detective hats with a magnificent performance of Much Ado About Murder whilst on the 21st July they present to you a fantastic outdoor adaptation of David Walliams Awful Auntie.
This summer Nottingham Castle is giving you an unforgettable cinematic experience within their spectacular grounds. On the 30th of April, the beautiful castle grounds will host a magical night as they play Disney’s new film release, Encanto, and on the 1st of May they’ll pay homage to our legendary outlaw with the screening of Robin Hood: Men in Tights.
Could there be anything cosier than watching one of your favourite films on a warm summer night, snuggled up in a blanket or camping chair, right in the middle of the woods? Nott’s Maze partnered up with Owen Productions for a brilliant outdoor cinema experience from 16 July – 10 September 2022. With Freshly made food, snacks, a licensed bar and blockbusters including The Greatest Showman, Mamma Mia 1 & Mamma Mia 2, Grease, Dirty Dancing, Hairspray and Pretty Woman!
Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre hosts its first ever outdoor cinema event on Saturday 16th July 2022! The first film, showing at 4pm is Disney's 1973 feature-length animated telling of the legend of Robin Hood. Then at 7pm, the vibe stays positively medieval with the rip-roaring A Knight's Tale, starring Heath Ledger. The films will be shown on a 20 sq metre screen next to the visitor centre amphitheatre, with plenty of space to sit with family and friends on the green. The cafe will be serving drinks and snacks and picnic hampers can be ordered too.
Get ready for a magical evening of outdoor cinema under the stars as The Luna Cinema comes to Sherwood Pines with incredible films including the musical bipoic The Greatest Showman and the modern classic No Time To Die. Capacities are strictly limited, and all tickets must be booked in advance, so book now to avoid missing out.
Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic from home, but please don’t pack any alcohol. The Luna Bar will be at Sherwood and only alcohol purchased on-site is permitted.
For more information about all summer events, including outdoor theatre, pop into the Nottingham Tourism Centre or call 08444 77 5678. Make sure you check out the What's On section of our website for further summer inspiration.
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