Dorchester Arts is back with a summer season of shows

By Lottie Welch

20th May 2021 | Local News

Dorchester Arts is back with a summer of entertainment, bringing back live events to some great venues.

Thomas Hardy, Shakespeare, and The Great Gatsby all feature on the line-up of family-friendly fun.

A spokesman for Dorchester Arts said: "We are delighted to let you know that Dorchester Arts is back with a summer season of shows to entertain you throughout the coming months.

"Most of our shows are outdoors in spectacular locations around Dorset - Maumbury Rings, Nothe Fort and Athelhampton - along with our special Summer Sunday event which will be held at Whitcombe Manor at the kind invitation of Minette and Alec Walters."

The line-up includes:

Tess of the D'Urbervilles (Hotbuckle Productions)

Thursday, June 24, 7pm, Maumbury Rings

Ticket price: £14/£12 members & concessions / £44 family (max. 2 adults, 2 under 18s)

Running time: 2hrs 15 mins inc interval

Following on from a superb production of Thomas Hardy's Far From The Madding Crowd in 2017, Hotbuckle make a welcome return, bringing what is perhaps one of Hardy's finest works back to his home town. Hardy's heroine is one of the most moving in all of literature and this new version brings her story is hauntingly to life.

Macbeth (The Handlebards)

Saturday, July 10, 7pm, Maumbury Rings

Ticket price: £14/£12 members & concessions / £44 family (max. 2 adults, 2 under 18s)

Running time: 1hr 40 mins inc interval

The Handlebards have been pedalling to Maumbury Rings for several years with their bicycle-powered, environmentally sustainable brand of Shakespeare and this year is no exception. Forget the tears and tragedy - join the all-female troupe for a frantic, delirious and full-of beans interpretation of Macbeth like you've never seen before.

HMS Pinafore (Opera Anywhere)

Friday, July 16, 7pm, Nothe Fort, Weymouth

Ticket price: £17/£15 members & concessions/ £56 family ticket (max. 2 adults & 2 under 18s)

Opera Anywhere has thrilled us time and time again with its energetic and accessible versions of Gilbert and Sullivan classics. This year they return to the perfect location of Nothe Fort with a marvellous performance of HMS Pinafore. This is a tale of mismatched love across different social classes. Climb aboard to find out if love prevails and enjoy a feast of fun along the way. Hip hip hooray!

A Summer Sunday with Rainer Hersch

Sunday, July 18, 12noon, Whitcombe Manor

Ticket price: £30

We are delighted that our annual Summer Sunday event in the barn at beautiful Whitcombe Manor is to go ahead, by the kind invitation and support of Minette and Alec Walters. This year we welcome Rainer Hersch, a conductor and musician who has performed on every major comedy stage in Britain and abroad. But be warned, you may never look at piano lessons or playing the triangle in the same way again! Join us for an afternoon of comedy musical brilliance, in a lovely setting.

The Importance of Being Earnest (Slapstick Picnic)

Thursday, July 29, 7pm, Maumbury Rings

Ticket price: £14/£12 members & concessions / £44 family (max. 2 adults, 2 under 18s)

Running time: 1hr 40mins inc interval

From the creators of The HandleBards comes a fantastically wild(e) new production, ripping up the rule book and celebrating silliness. We ask that you prepare to witness the impossible - the entirety of Oscar Wilde's classic play of manners, affairs and handbags being performed by just two rather dashing entertainers.

Don't forget to bring your own seats, picnic blankets and filled hampers to the proceedings, and wear attire suitable for the meteorological conditions.

King Arthur (The Last Baguette)

Sunday, August 1, 2.30pm, Maumbury Rings

Ticket price £11/£9 members & concessions / £36 family (max. 2 adults, 2 u18s)

Running time: 75 minutes plus interval

Somewhere in England, a long time ago, a very, very, very long time ago. So long ago that nobody quite knows whether it happened or not. Or where it happened or not. A boy pulled a sword from a stone and became King. A story of the old world, with knights, wizards, mist, and magic. This fun and farcical adventure is a deliberately anarchic and anachronistic re-telling of the Arthurian Legend with live music, physical comedy and lo-fi acrobatics.

She Stoops to Conquer (Rain or Shine)

Tuesday, August 10, 7pm, Maumbury Rings

Ticket price: £14/£12 members & concessions / £44 family (max. 2 adults, 2 under 18s)

Running time: 140 mins inc interval

An 18th century farce for all the family! Set against the increasingly chaotic proceedings of one very long night, this is a delightful romantic romp filled with ludicrous misunderstanding, mischief and mayhem. So, pack your picnic, rugs and chairs, pop open some bubbly and sit back and relax in the summer sunshine, while we whisk you away to the time of big wigs, and even bigger dresses; where fops and foolery abound!

Mr Stink by David Walliams (Heartbreak Productions)

Saturday, August 14, 6pm, Maumbury Rings

Ticket price: £12/£10 members & concessions / £40 family (max. 2 adults, 2 children)

Age guidance: 7+

Join us at Maumbury Rings for this outdoors re-telling of David Walliams' best-seller Mr Stink. Packed with fun, humour, and a heart-warming message, this touching tale provides the perfect family entertainment.

Alice in Wonderland (Boxtree Productions)

Sunday, August 15, 5pm, Maumbury Rings

Ticket price: £11/£9 members & concessions / £36 family ticket (four people, max. two adults)

Descend down the rabbit hole into a strange world of caterpillars, cards and tea parties. Join Alice as she tries to navigate this curious world of curiouser creatures - but don't lose your head! We promise you a wonderful experience of original toe-tapping songs, colourful characters, costumes and hilarious comedy in Boxtree Production's unique and energetic style.

The Great Gatsby (Heartbreak Productions)

Wednesday, August 25, 7pm, Athelhampton House & Gardens

Ticket price: £16/£14 members & concessions / £52 family ticket (four people, max. two adults)

Join us in the sublime setting of Athelhampton House for an evening of outdoor theatre, prohibition style. Get your glad rags on, work up your best Charleston, and have your cocktail glass at the ready! Served up with a twist of iconic Heartbreak style, this outdoor adaptation of F Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby is the perfect way to mark 100 years since prohibition. Dress for the weather, bring a chair or blanket to sit on, and don't forget the picnic and prosecco (now that prohibition has been lifted!).

For more information and to book, visit dorchesterarts.org.uk

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