TICKETS go on sale this Friday (April 30) for Much Ado About Nothing and Hercules at the Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre.

The new temporary venue will be up and running from July 15-August 8 with an immediate seat sale of £10 for early bookings.

Tickets for all performances have been released, with eight performances per week including two matinees and a special Sunday tea time slot.

The unique, purpose built theatre structure, which is being built by Chester Performs and Cheshire West and Chester Council, will be set in the round.

It has been designed by Chester-based architects Lovelock Mitchell with two types of seating: terrace and designated picnic areas, located in the front of the stage.

Tickets are being priced at £10-£23, while seats in the limited picnic areas, where audience are invited to bring food and deckchairs, are £18.

The theatre is operating an “airline” style pricing system according to demand, with all terrace seats on sale from £10 from today.

Andrew Bentley, Chester Performs’ director, explained the pricing policy: “We are keen to make this as affordable as possible to as many people as we can. You can buy any seat for a limited period for just £10. That’s the reward for early booking.

“On top of that there are further discounts for children and for families, whilst under-fives come free.

“This is professional theatre to a fabulous standard, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t make it affordable and family friendly.”

The new professional theatre company, with a cast of 14, will perform Shakespeare’s classic Much Ado About Nothing, in tandem with the world premiere of family production Hercules, written specially for Grosvenor Park by playwright Helen Eastman.

Performance schedule

Much Ado About Nothing: July 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 24, 25, 29, 30, August 3, 4, 6, 7, 8.

Hercules (for all ages 7+): July 20, 22, 23, 27, 28, 31, August 1, 5.

Extra matinees are on Thursdays, Saturdays and start at 3pm. All evening performances start at 7.30pm and on Sundays at 5pm.

Tickets are available online at www.chesterperforms.com by calling 0843 208 0500 and in person from Chester Tourist Information Centre.