Summer evenings with the National Trust

This summer, enjoy magical evenings of theatre, live music and open-air cinema at a whole host of stunning National Trust locations across the East of England. Whether it’s Shakespeare as the sun sets, classic films under the stars, or musical performances, there’s something for everyone.

Discover enchanting theatre performances including literary classics from Shaw and Shakespeare, and family favourites like Pinocchio and The Wizard of Oz. Experience the drama of blockbuster movies like Star Wars to Dirty Dancing or sing-along with Wicked or Sing!. Or dance the night away with music in tribute to ABBA, Queen and Paul Simon as well as Ibiza club classics.

Book your tickets to a National Trust outdoor event this summer and enhance the open-air experience with a picnic, or discover the range of food and drink options on offer

Here’s what’s on across the East of England:

Grange Barn (Essex)

Dot Productions present The Wonderful Wizard of Oz | 23 July | 3.00pm - 4.30pm | Booking essential

Step onto the Yellow Brick Road this summer with DOT Productions’ magical family theatre adventure, Frank L. Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. In this fast-paced 60-minute production, Dorothy is swept into a dazzling world where nothing is quite as it seems and adventure waits around every corner. Along the way she encounters curious companions, peculiar places, and powerful forces that test courage, kindness, and belief.

Bursting with fun, silliness, and lively songs, this fantastical retelling sparkles with imagination and theatrical magic. Created for families and audiences of all ages, DOT Productions brings its signature warmth and playfulness to Baum’s timeless tale. A joyful celebration of wonder and friendship, this summer adventure reminds us all that there’s no place like home.

Dot Productions present Lady Windermere’s Fan | 20 August | 7.30pm - 9.30pm | Booking essential 

DOT Productions presents Oscar Wilde’s Lady Windermere’s Fan, a sparkling revival brimming with wit, charm, and the company’s signature comedic flair. This nimble five-actor adaptation brings Wilde’s razor-sharp dialogue and delicious social satire to life with inventive staging and playful character doubling.

When Lady Windermere begins to suspect her husband’s loyalty, a mysterious woman’s arrival threatens to upend her world. A whirlwind of gossip, temptation, and mistaken intentions follows—leading to a revelation that challenges every assumption. Light-footed, stylish, and irresistibly funny, this production captures the heart of Wilde’s classic while offering a fresh, intimate twist. A delightful evening of scandal, elegance, and laughter awaits.

Hatfield Forest (Essex)

Othello by the Lord Chamberlains Men | 23 June | 7.00pm - 9.15pm | Booking essential

This stunning and devastatingly poignant play is a story of deception, jealousy and a man that loved not wisely but too well – this stunning and heartbreakingly poignant play is one you won’t want to miss.

“I know my price, I am worth no worse a place.”

Othello, the Moor of Venice, a respected General in the Venetian army, promotes the young Cassio to be his Lieutenant over Iago, a soldier in his service. In doing so he unwittingly sparks Iago’s deep-seated hatred into terrifying life and sets in motion a horrendous spiral of vengeance and destruction that sweeps away everyone before it. As Iago weaves his web and seeks his revenge he poisons Othello against Desdemona, who he has recently and secretly married, and turns the world upside down until Othello becomes unmoored from reality with devastating consequences.

Pinocchio by Illyria | 10 July | 6.00pm - 8.15pm | Booking essential

Carlo Collodi’s classic is a perennial favourite. It is the third most translated book in the world, having appeared in no fewer than 260 languages since it was published in 1883, and has never been out of print.

Childless toymaker Geppetto buys a piece of wood to make a puppet – little realising the chaos he is about to unleash. The puppet yearns for adventure and runs away, but instead of excitement only finds glorious attractions containing hidden dangers. He returns home hoping to be showered with sympathy and learns his tribulations are just beginning. Running away hasn’t worked; lying won’t work; he must become a real boy to achieve the belonging he craves.

Collodi describes the development from puppet to real boy in the same way that useless green timber is matured into useful well-seasoned wood – a transformation only achieved through trials of water and fire. Illyria celebrates this magical coming-of-age tale in a thrilling musical outdoor show.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Quantum Theatre | 6 August | 1.00pm - 2.30pm | Booking essential

Peter and his naughty cousin Benjamin know very well that they are not to go into Mr McGregor’s garden, but they cannot resist and soon they find themselves in all sorts of scrapes, caught In a net, trapped by a snarling cat and face to face with Mr McGregor himself! How will they ever escape? Can Old Mr Bunny come to the rescue in time? And whatever will Mr McGregor make of all those footprints in the flower beds?

Michael Whitmore’s charming adaptation will have you spellbound so why not grab the kids, a blanket and a picnic and join Peter and Benjamin on their hair-raising adventures - a magical afternoon of fun for all the family.

The Three Musketeers by Illyria | 5 September | 6.00pm - 8.15pm | Booking essential

All for One - and One for All! Alexandre Dumas wrote five Musketeers novels, the first appearing in 1844. They have enjoyed enormous popularity worldwide and are not just textbook examples of the Historical Romance but also hilarious pastiches of that genre. This one, the first, remains the greatest.

Young D’Artagnan is desperate to join Athos, Porthos and Aramis as an elite Musketeer of the King’s Guard. To prove himself he plunges headlong into a thrilling adventure to retrieve the Queen’s jewels, race the clock to restore Her Majesty’s honour, survive the machinations of scheming Cardinal Richelieu, and cross swords with the deadly Milady de Winter. Set against a sweeping panorama of 17th century France at war, it’s a whirlwind of excitement, comedy and ingenious storytelling.

Romance! Intrigue! Murder! Betrayal! Revenge...! It’s got the lot! With a reputation for staging some of the finest swordplay in the business Illyria’s The Three Musketeers promises to be more dazzling than ever!

Shaw’s Corner (Hertfordshire)

Outdoor Theatre: Candida | 24 July | 6.00pm - 9.00pm | Booking essential

With his home at the backdrop, Rumpus are proud to present an exciting new production of the Bernard Shaw play, Candida, for the playwright’s Birthday weekend! One woman, two men, an eternal triangle of exuberant personalities … but which way will the worldly-wise Candida jump? This dramatic production includes all of the perfect ingredients for an exhilarating evening of love and wit! The performance starts at 6.30pm and ends at 9.00pm. Doors open at 5:45pm. This production is generously sponsored by the Shaw Society.

Outdoor Family Theatre: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz | 19 August | 12.30pm - 3.00pm | Booking essential

Step onto the Yellow Brick Road this summer with DOT Productions’ magical family theatre adventure, Frank L. Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. In this fast-paced 60-minute production, Dorothy is swept into a dazzling world where nothing is quite as it seems and adventure waits around every corner. Along the way she encounters curious companions, peculiar places, and powerful forces that test courage, kindness, and belief. Bursting with fun, silliness, and lively songs, this fantastical retelling sparkles with imagination and theatrical magic.

Created for families and audiences of all ages, DOT Productions brings its signature warmth and playfulness to Baum’s timeless tale. A joyful celebration of wonder and friendship, this summer adventure reminds us all that there’s no place like home. For those wishing to picnic in the garden, doors will open at 12:30pm and the performance will begin at 2pm.

Outdoor Theatre: Lady Windermere's Fan | 22 August | 6.00pm - 9.00pm | Booking essential

With Shaw's Corner as the backdrop, DOT Productions presents Oscar Wilde’s Lady Windermere’s Fan, a sparkling revival brimming with wit, charm, and the company’s signature comedic flair. This nimble five-actor adaptation brings Wilde’s razor-sharp dialogue and delicious social satire to life with inventive staging and playful character doubling.

Light-footed, stylish, and irresistibly funny, this production captures the heart of Wilde’s classic while offering a fresh, intimate twist. A delightful evening of scandal, elegance, and laughter awaits. The performance will begin at 7pm, doors open at 6pm.