As the nights draw out and the weather gets warmer, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire’s Tourism Board Visit Nottinghamshire have rounded-up a list of the best outdoor cinema and theatre experiences across the city and county.
Nottingham and Nottinghamshire have some fantastic spots for outdoor cinema and theatre experiences. Being the home to iconic venues and some of the best green spaces found anywhere in the UK, outdoor cinema and theatre are a great way to enjoy the good weather. The team at Visit Nottinghamshire have done a round-up of all the outdoor cinema and theatre experiences you can find across the city and county to help you plan the best night out and staycation this summer.
Newstead Abbey
Enjoy the manicured gardens and beautiful ruins of Newstead Abbey, the ancestral home of Romantic poet Lord Byron, before checking out the outdoor theatre and cinema lined up for June and September.
Experience magical evenings of literary classics such as Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre. Alternatively, check out Peter Pan for an adventure-filled evening with crazy crocodiles, pesky pirates and exciting escapes. For more information including dates go to the Visit Nottinghamshire website.
Wollaton Hall
Wollaton Hall and Deer Park is a spectacular Elizabethan mansion and park just a stone’s throw away from Nottingham’s city centre, and throughout June to September there is a variety of shows performed live against this stunning backdrop.
Starting with a hilarious theatrical retelling of the Gunpowder Plot on Thursday 16 June, you can also see Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummers Night Dream and As You Like It, plus a modern retelling of the classic fairy tale of Cinderella. For more information including dates, go to the Visit Nottinghamshire website.
More into films than theatre? Luna Outdoor Cinema is taking place at Wollaton Hall this August, so get excited for screenings of West Side Story, Harry Potter, and Grease.
Southwell Minster
Set in the centre of this picturesque town, the glorious Southwell Minster and its neighbouring ruin the Archbishop’s Palace, are architectural and historical gems of north Nottinghamshire. Set within beautifully kept gardens, they once again will be an impressively grand backdrop for outdoor theatre this year. On September 3, The HandleBards are back by popular demand with their comedic retelling of one of Shakespeare’s plays, Twelfth Night, or how about a showing of Edith Nesbit’s The Railway Children? Get your singing voices and dancing shoes at the ready as tribute act, 21st Century ABBA, play all the best songs from your favourite Swedes.
Belvoir Castle
With gardens designed by Capability Brown, and a magnificent Regency house, Belvoir Castle will provide the ultimate backdrop for a fabulous night of outdoor cinema under the stars.
On the 13th August, Heart Break Productions will get you donning your detective hats with a magnificent performance of Much Ado About Murder whilst on the 21st July they present to you a fantastic outdoor adaptation of David Walliams Awful Auntie.
Nottingham Castle
Is there any better way to spend a balmy summer evening than enjoying an entertaining production at Nottingham Castle? We don’t think so given their brilliant line up of plays, stating with Oddsock’s production of Hamlet the Comedy, Shakespeare’s classic like you’ve never seen it before.
The amazing Pantaloons are also presenting two performances this summer, the first being their take on The War of the Worlds on the 23rd of July. They’ll follow this up with Much Ado About Nothing, another exciting take on a Shakespeare classic!
Lakeside Arts
Following the popular success of our co-production of The Tempest in 2021, join Lakeside and Nottingham Playhouse for more Shakespearean fun this summer with their production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
It’s the turn of Puck, Bottom, Titania and 4 deeply confused young lovers to perform this much-loved magical and comic tale. Four fabulous performers, merry music and much mayhem is promised as we bring Shakespeare’s classic tale to life.
Nott’s Maze
Could there be anything cosier than watching one of your favourite films on a warm summer night, snuggled up in a blanket or camping chair, right in the middle of the woods? Nott’s Maze partnered up with Owen Productions for a brilliant outdoor cinema experience from 16 July – 10 September 2022. With Freshly made food, snacks, a licensed bar and blockbusters including The Greatest Showman, Mamma Mia 1 & Mamma Mia 2, Grease, Dirty Dancing, Hairspray and Pretty Woman!
Films in Sherwood Forest
Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre hosts its first ever outdoor cinema event on Saturday 16th July 2022! The first film, showing at 4pm is Disney’s 1973 feature-length animated telling of the legend of Robin Hood. Then at 7pm, the vibe stays positively medieval with the rip-roaring A Knight’s Tale, starring Heath Ledger. The films will be shown on a 20 sq metre screen next to the visitor centre amphitheatre, with plenty of space to sit with family and friends on the green. The cafe will be serving drinks and snacks and picnic hampers can be ordered too.
Sherwood Pines
Get ready for a magical evening of outdoor cinema under the stars as The Luna Cinema comes to Sherwood Pines this September with incredible films including the musical biopic The Greatest Showman and the modern classic No Time To Die. Capacities are strictly limited, and all tickets must be booked in advance, so book now to avoid missing out. Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic from home, but please don’t pack any alcohol. The Luna Bar will be at Sherwood and only alcohol purchased on-site is permitted.
For the most up to date information about outdoor film and theatre events in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire go to the Visit Nottinghamshire website.
Marketing and Communications Manager for Visit Nottinghamshire, Kinga Kapias said:
“Outdoor cinema and theatre events are a staple of summer in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. With iconic venues and unrivalled green spaces such as Wollaton Hall and Sherwood Forest as their backdrop, there’s something for all tastes this summer.
“Whether you’re looking for a date night for two at Sherwood Pines showing No Time to Die, or something more family orientated like the showing of The Railway Children at Southwell Minster, you really can find a night out that suits you.
“Outdoor film and theatre events are perfect for both visitors and locals and we hope people will come out and enjoy the lovely weather over the summer months.”
Posted on 16 June 2022
