Keeping my fingers crossed for an improvement in the weather, as open air theatre is due to return to Bath for the third year.
The venue – the Holburne Museum, at the Sydney Gardens end of Great Pulteney Street.
The event – The Garden Theatre Festival which will run from July 21st through to August 5th.
The museum garden will be transformed into a beautiful outdoor theatre seating 400 guests, complete with flags, bunting, festoon and a garden bar.
After bringing some of the finest national and West Country comedy, theatre and cabaret performers to delighted audiences in 2022, Bath’s Garden Theatre Festival 2023 includes some of the favourite productions from last year, along with exciting new shows and enough magical sparkle and adventure to keep the whole family entertained once more.
With a whole host of events from children’s theatre to cabaret and slapstick to Shakespeare, there’s something for everyone.
The Garden Theatre Festival is Bath’s only purpose-built open-air theatre festival. It has become an annual event at The Holburne Museum Gardens. What started in 2020 as a single night of theatre over lockdown then became The Garden Theatre Festival and officially began in 2021.
You bring your own blankets, cushions, camping chairs and packed picnic, grab a drink from the bar, then discover the best outdoor theatre that the UK has to offer.
Returning to the festival this year are fan-favourites The Three Inch Fools and Bath’s very own Calf 2 Cow, as well as exciting new shows from Impromtu Shakespeare, Paulus – The Cabaret Geek, Heartbreak Productions, Tethered Wits Theatre Company, and Something Underground Theatre Company.
Premier ticket holders receive even more benefits and can access the Holburne Museum Gardens thirty minutes before the main doors open, as well as being able to enjoy prosecco, or soft drinks, and luxury nibbles included in the ticket price.
Matthew Emeny, our Artistic Director, is very excited to welcome everyone back for the Garden Theatre Festival’s third year: “We return in 2023 with a cracking programme of theatre that we know our audiences will love. This year you as our guests will enter a freshly-designed theatre, which is sealed off from the rest of the world, allowing you a truly unique experience.
I look forward to welcoming everyone to our beautiful festival again this year – Here’s to a very exciting summer of theatre! See you for another summer of fun in the magical gardens of the Holburne Museum at the Garden Theatre Festival!”
GARDEN THEATRE FESTIVAL 2023 – SHOW PROGRAMME
Impromptu Shakespeare – Friday 21 July at 7:30pm
Looking For Me Friend: The Music of Victoria Wood by Paulus, the Cabaret Geek – Saturday 22 July at 7pm
David Walliams’ Bad Dad by Heartbreak Productions – Sunday 23 July at 5pm
The Great Gatsby by Tethered Wits Theatre Company – Tuesday 25 July at 7pm
Doctor Dolittle by Tethered Wits Theatre Company – Wednesday 26 July at 7pm
The Spirit of Woodstock by Something Underground Theatre Company – Thursday 27 July at 7pm
As You Like It by The Three Inch Fools – Friday 28 and Sunday 30 July, both at 7pm
Robin Hood by The Three Inch Fools – Saturday 29 and Monday 31 July, both at 7pm
Lewis Carroll’s The Jabberwocky & Other Nonsense by Calf 2 Cow – Tuesday 1 to Saturday 5 August, at 7pm
TICKET PRICES FOR BATH’S GARDEN THEATRE FESTIVAL
STANDARD TICKETS Adult: £16.50 Child (under 16): £12 Family (2 adults + 2 children): £45
PREMIER TICKETS Our Premier Tickets include a lovely glass of prosecco, or soft drink alternative, Luxury nibbles and a branded tote bag. You will also gain access to the venue thirty minutes before the main doors. This gives you the opportunity to get your preferred spot in the garden.
Adult: £37 Child: £25 (excludes prosecco, complimentary soft drink and snacks included) Family (two adults two children): £85
BATH’S GARDEN THEATRE FESTIVAL – LISTING DETAILS NAME: Garden Theatre Festival 2023
LOCATION: The Holburne Museum – Great Pulteney St, Bathwick, Bath BA2 4DB
DATES: 21st July – 5th August
OPENING HOURS: Dependent on the shows that day – tickets from: www.gardentheatrefest.co.uk
TICKET PRICES: £12 – £85 (family ticket)
PARKING: Limited on-site parking
FOOD: On-site BBQ, Picnic allowed.
DRINK: Outdoor Festival Bar
FACILITIES: Toilets in the Holburne Museum with accessible lift
WHAT TO BRING: Your own chairs / blankets. Picnics welcome. Baby changing areas available, and pushchairs allowed.
WHEELCHAIR ACCESS: Yes
