Something’s stirring in the garden...

Jun 20 2008 by Michael Green, Flintshire Chronicle

Heroes, villains – and the odd comedian – are waiting in the wings for the start of the National Trust’s 2008 outdoor theatre season.

Performances from Illyria, Anvil Productions, Alsager Community Theatre, Heartbreak Productions and Openwide Theatre guarantee some terrific theatre set against stunning backdrops and in glorious gardens across Cheshire, Merseyside and Lancashire.

Across the summer you can:

Follow The Pied Piper (Openwide Theatre) at Little Moreton Hall (August 26).

Take a trip to Never Never Land with Wendy to meet Peter Pan (Heartbreak Productions) at Dunham Massey (August 16) and Speke Hall (July 24).

Have a chuckle with Charley's Aunt (Heartbreak) at Dunham (July 20)

Or watch Pinocchio in a new production by Illyria Theatre (Rufford Old Hall, July 6; Lyme Park, August 3).

Shakespeare fans can be enchanted by A Midsummer Night's Dream (Heartbreak) at Speke Hall (June 20) and at Dunham Massey the following night (June 21); or watch the dark and tragic tale of love unfolding in Othello (Anvil Productions) on June 21 at Little Moreton Hall and August 29 at Speke Hall.

Oliver Goldsmith's 18th century masterpiece She Stoops to Conquer will be set against the backdrop of Cheshire's most iconic Tudor timber framed building, Little Moreton Hall (July 10-12 & 17-19).

And Beatrix Potter fans can enjoy a performance of The Town Mouse and The Country Mouse (Openwide Theatre) at Dunham Massey on August 30.

For details and prices contact properties direct or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/thingstodo.