A New Look Theatre for a New Look Summer Festival

Having successfully relocated from the famous Italian Garden to another lovely setting on Two Sisters Lawn at Hever Castle, the new Festival Theatre has undergone a makeover for this year’s Summer Festival that begins in June.

At the same time the Summer Festival itself will have something of a new look and offer a programme of music and entertainment that promises to be bigger and better than at any time in its twenty seven year history.

Central to the new look theatre is a remodelled auditorium that provides tiered and covered seating for the theatre audiences. The seating is now integrated with and closer to the stage and the specially designed Saddlespan stage canopy, thereby providing additional protection against inclement weather and an unusually intimate auditorium for an open air venue.

The new auditorium is complemented by the beautifully refurbished Pavilion Restaurant which will offer a waitress service restaurant including al fresco eating on the magnificent new terrace. Easy and pleasant access to the theatre is available via the delightful Rose and Blue Gardens and the stone staircase and illuminated rockery – all well worth a visit for their own sake. There is even a totally new toilet block on the way to the theatre complete with clock tower!

The new look theatre facilities would not have justified the investment without a programme of arts and entertainment to match. The TwentyTen Summer Festival has therefore been designed to provide just that. The centrepiece of the Festival is a new look Kent Rep season that includes plays by the legendary Ray Cooney and Hugh Leonard, as well as the more familiar William Shakespeare.

The Kent Rep season is complemented by a programme of music that includes the Classics, Opera, Gilbert and Sullivan, Jazz, Musical Theatre and Pop, with something for everyone. It is perhaps invidious to pick particular shows but highlights must include Carmen – with a gala dinner option; jazz legend Acker Bilk; a celebration of the music of the Beach Boys and the Beatles and the ever popular Last Night of the Hever Proms.

Overall the Festival now occupies all of the summer months stretching from the beginning of June until the end of August. Booking is already underway, with some performances already almost sold out after a very busy priority booking period - an early application for tickets is strongly recommended.

The Box Office is open for booking on 01732 866114

Details on the theatre and summer season 2010 can be found at www.heverfestival.co.uk

Performances at The Festival Theatre at Hever Castle