It has been a week of soaring temperatures across the Harrogate district.

And when the sun shines, there is nothing better than grabbing a picnic rug or deckchair and enjoying some fabulous outdoor entertainment.

We have put together a selection of outdoor theatre performances taking place across the Harrogate district this summer where tickets are still available:

Hamlet The Comedy – RHS Harlow Carr Gardens, July 5 and 6

Festival favourite Oddsocks Productions return to Harrogate with yet another high-energy, feel-good family theatre show.

Pack your picnic and join the crazy theatre troupe for a festival of music, magic and mayhem as they bring Hamlet The Comedy to the beautiful grounds of Harlow Carr.

Hamlet The Comedy finds the eponymous royal student returning home for the summer holidays to find something rotten in the state of Denmark and it’s more than just the bag of dirty washing! Mum’s married Uncle Claudius and Dad’s dishing the dirt from his grave – it’s enough to make a teenager mad!

Shakespeare’s famous tragedy is performed as you’ve never seen before with lots of laughs, music and memorable moments.

Presented by Oddsocks Productions as part of Harrogate International Festivals.

Event details:

Doors open at 6.30pm for Friends of the Festival and RHS card holders.

General admission from 6.45pm.

This is an outdoor event, please dress appropriately for the British weather. Feel free to bring your own picnics, rugs and deckchairs to make the most of the event.

Tickets are available here.

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Cinderella – Valley Gardens, Harrogate,  July 17

In an enchanted kingdom faraway land magical creatures and fairy godmothers come together to tell the best-loved of all fairy tales.

Full of song, mirth, and joy for the summer ahead, join us on Cinderella’s journey of a lifetime to a magical ball where nearly anything is possible especially if it is before midnight.

Family and friends are welcome to picnic and children are invited to dress in their favourite fairy tale characters and join for the midsummer ball dance.

Presented by Chapterhouse Theatre.

Event details:

Doors open at 3pm and the production starts at 4pm.

The performance will last around 90 minutes (with no interval) and will take place in all but the worst weather.

Please bring your own deck chairs, rugs and picnics etc for the performance.

Tickets are available here

Romeo and Juliet – Knaresborough Castle, August 6

This best-loved story of star crossed lovers and feuding families shall be performed in the castle yard.

Dressed in beautiful Elizabethan costume and performed by a fine troupe of Shakespearean players, join Chapterhouse for the greatest love story ever told as they perform magical theatre in magical surroundings.

Presented by Chapterhouse Theatre.

Event details:

Doors open at 6pm and the production starts at 7pm.

The performance will last around 90 minutes (with no interval) and will take place in all but the worst weather.

Please bring your own deck chairs, rugs and picnics etc for the performance.

Tickets are available here 

Pride and Prejudice – Ripon Spa Gardens, August 20

Take a step back in time as we meet Elizabeth Bennett and her sisters. Whilst their interfering mother engineers various courtships, Elizabeth and Jane must pursue their own quest for true love.

Amidst mistakes and miscommunications, can Elizabeth finally surpass her prejudices to see past the proud exterior of the enigmatic Mr Darcy?

Presented by Chapterhouse Theatre.

Event details:

Doors open at 6pm, the production starts at 7pm.

The performance will last around 90 minutes (with no interval) and will take place in all but the worst weather.

Please bring your own deck chairs, rugs and picnics etc for the performance.

Tickets are available here 

The show will go on! Harrogate Theatre has confirmed the pantomime will resume today after the weekend performances were cancelled because of a leak caused by Storm Awern.

Opening night of Cinderella went ahead as scheduled on Friday but the magic of the panto then had to be put on hold when the storm struck later that night.

Four matinee and evening performances were cancelled on Saturday and Sunday.

The theatre is currently covered in scaffolding due to a £1 million roof restoration project, which began in May. Work was due to be completed by November but has been delayed into next year.

However, the theatre confirmed in a statement this morning that today’s 10am showing and future performances would go ahead.

Councillor Graham Swift, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for resources, enterprise and economic development said:

“The protective, temporary sheeting over the Harrogate Theatre roof was one casualty of this disruptive weather, which led to water ingress to a small area of the building including the stage.

“Emergency repairs were carried out over the weekend and all necessary safety checks have now been completed today. I am therefore delighted to confirm that the theatre building can now be re-opened and the pantomime can re-start again, as scheduled.”

Read more:

• Harrogate Theatre panto tickets selling fast
• Oh yes he is! Tim Stedman stars in Harrogate panto as Buttons

Those who missed the show at the weekend have been offered the chance to re-book for future performances. The theatre said there are still plenty of tickets available in January.

Ticket holders can also apply for a refund, put credit onto their theatre account for future shows or leave a donation.

Harrogate Theatre’s chief executive has said panto ticket sales are almost at normal levels despite the uncertainty caused by covid.

Tickets went on sale later than usual this year and David Bown said there was some initial nervousness about attendance figures.

But 80% of tickets in between schools breaking up and the new year have already been sold. The fortnight before Christmas, in particular, is proving popular.

Cinderella begins on Friday next week and will run until January 16. Tim Stedman is once again one of the main stars.

The pantomime is the theatre’s biggest event of the year and Mr Bown said the strong sales were welcome after a difficult 18 months due to covid.

“It’s great to see we are nearly back to levels in previous years but we still have a few reservations and people concerned about covid. We still don’t know what the government has as its plan B and as a mass gathering we would be the first to be hit.

“I think Harrogate is doing well for visitors, we’ve had a few sold-out shows at other venues and we really hoped the panto would be the same and we weren’t disappointed.”

Read more:

• Oh yes he is! Tim Stedman stars in Harrogate panto as Buttons
• Harrogate panto director promises comedy and magic

Building work won’t dull the magic

The theatre has been undergoing building work for about six months.

The 120-year-old building was in need of a huge roof replacement, costing around £1 million. As a council-owned building, the project has been run in conjunction with Harrogate Borough Council and Harrogate Theatre Trust.

But although scaffolding will remain outside the building until March, Mr Bown said the magic of the theatre is still intact.

The complexity of the work, difficulties in sourcing building materials and staff shortages has meant the works are now due to finish in March 2022.

Looking ahead to 2022, Mr Bown said panto ticket sales make him optimistic for future shows:

“Being back is a bit weird, in some ways it feels like forever and in others it feels like the pandemic never happened. Of course we’re nervous because the last 18 months has proven you can’t plan for everything but the audience numbers are very encouraging.”

If you want to get in the mood ahead of the panto, check out our Panto Stories performed by Tim Stedman.

The much-loved actor, Tim Stedman, returns for his 21st pantomime at Harrogate Theatre this year as Buttons and promises an evening of laughter and a little bit of magic.

The cast and crew are busy at Harrogate Theatre preparing to return to the stage later this month with a pantomime classic, Cinderella.

Regular panto goers will be delighted to see Tim Stedman return. He has performed at Harrogate Theatre every festive season since 2000 – only missing last year due to covid.

He said the love from the audience and the hard work of the production team keep him coming back:

“I think Harrogate [theatre] does it properly with magic, with a twinkle in its eye, and the story is king. You could come and watch it and not hear the gags or see my comedic dancing and still leave saying that’s a lovely story.

People think of Harrogate as a chocolate box of a town, wonderful and idyllic, and they’re very good at the theatre of thinking that’s how the pantomime should be.. it’s magical here.”

Mr Stedman said returning after taking a break last year has made him more eager than ever to take to the stage.

He promised plenty of comedy sketches, romance and even a whoopee cushion or two!

Some of the panto cast during rehearsals this week.

Over the years, Mr Stedman has performed in Jack and the Beanstalk and Aladdin but says with audiences falling in love with his characters brings added pressure:

“I still enjoy it as much as I did 20 years ago, but coming back each year does mean I feel the pressure a little bit.

I have to be funny and everything the audience expects and especially after being hidden away for two years really we need to make sure we do it right.”

Read more:

• Boroughbridge Hightimers return with Cinderella pantomime
• Harrogate Theatre appoints new panto director after tragic death

Mr Stedman kept tight-lipped about all the surprises and twists and turns in this year’s production but promised audiences the family-friendly, hilarious pantomime they have come to expect in Harrogate.

“It’s very funny; the ugly sisters are very funny, the prince is drop-dead gorgeous, our Cinderella looks fab. I think it’s going to be great, everyone loves Cinderella!”

Mr Stedman may say that the audience needs to love the story – but to many he is the main attraction and his talent guarantees a great panto every year.

Get ready to boo, hiss, shout and sing this November as the pantomime gets underway from November 26.

If you want to get in the mood ahead of the panto, check out our Panto Stories performed by Tim Stedman.

To find out what other events like this are on in the Harrogate district, check out our What’s On page. 

The Boroughbridge Hightimers are returning to the stage next month to put on its long-awaited pantomime, Cinderella.

The amateur dramatic society has been waiting to put on the show since before the pandemic and is now ready for the curtain to rise.

The group, set up 30 years ago, are busy rehearsing for their return at the end of November.

The group currently has 40 members aged 8-80 years old but chairman, Marlo Lomas, said more members were always welcome to help out behind stage, front of house or even take to the stage.

The show will be performed at Coronation Hall, Boroughbridge November 25-27 and again December 2-4.

Mr Lomas said:

“It has been very hard for us all in the society. We were always watching the news waiting to hear the good news that we could go back on the stage. We had lots of performances planned for last year but as time went on they were delayed several times.

“Cinderella, is the first performance back after lockdown it’s an extra special one. The whole cast and backstage crew have worked so hard to ensure that the production is great for all the audience.”

The junior cast in Bugsy Malone.

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Just before lockdown the group had its junior production of Bugsy Malone. Mr Lomas said it was a great success and the junior cast will return with Grease next June.

In March, the Hightimers will be performing a comedy thriller called Play Prepare to Meet Thy Tomb.

To book tickets for the pantomime, click here.

To check out other performances such as these, take a look at our What’s On page.

Harrogate Theatre has appointed a new director to direct the pantomime this Christmas after the sudden death of Phil Lowe.

Mr Lowe, who had been instrumental in the success of the pantomime since he took charge in 2007, died last week.

The theatre issued a statement to say it was “devastated” by the news but that this year’s production of Cinderella will continue in his honour.

Joyce Branagh, who is the sister of Sir Kenneth Branagh and a celebrated pantomime director in her own right, has taken up the mantle.

Ms Branagh will use the Cinderella script written by Mr Lowe but will hope to bring her own spin on the classic fairytale story. She said:

“I know what a huge shock this is for the theatre to lose such a talented colleague and friend, especially at this time of year.

“However, Phil has left us an amazingly funny script, and I feel honoured to be able to step in and help the cast and team here bring his wonderful gags to life.

“In the words of Phil’s heroes Morecambe and Wise, we’ll bring some sunshine, laughter and love back into the theatre. It’ll be our tribute to him.”

Cinderella will open on November 24 and runs until January 16, 2022. The pantomime show will be the first performance at Harrogate Theatre since March 2020.

Read more:

• ‘Irreplaceable’ Harrogate Theatre pantomime director Phil Lowe dies
• Christmas late-night shopping returns to Boroughbridge

Delayed Harrogate Theatre roof works

Audiences will notice that the scaffolding, which was due to come down in November, will remain in place throughout the pantomime season at Harrogate Theatre.

Due to the complexity of the work, difficulties in sourcing building materials and staff shortages the roof replacement work is now due to finish in March 2022.

The building work will continue into the new year but construction will work around scheduled performances, including those of community groups.

Cllr Graham Swift, Harrogate Borough Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for resources, enterprise and economic development, said:

“Our significant investment in this local asset will allow the fantastic performances to continue, promote cultural activity in the town, attract visitors and support the local economy at a time when it is needed the most.

“Although the scaffolding will be up until the new year, while we complete these delicate and complex restoration works, the theatre is very much safe to use and I hope visitors enjoy the wonderful performance of Cinderella.”

David Bown, chief executive of Harrogate Theatre, said:

“We look forward to welcoming back audiences in November to Cinderella and to our spring programme in 2022.

“Although the building might not be looking its best until works are complete, the theatre will be filled with the joy of live performance once again and that’s something we are all looking forward to.”

Harrogate’s pantomime will be back this year — and the chief executive of Harrogate Theatre hopes crowds will return in number this festive season.

The theatre’s annual pantomime is a local institution, attracting hundreds of people each day ready to scream, “It’s behind you!”.

In just three months the roof work should be complete, new carpets fitted and a cast of actors will be ready to take to the stage on the opening night of Cinderella.

The panto will run from November 24 to January 16 and theatre chief executive David Bown said ticket sales were going well. He hopes to fill as many of the 500 seats as possible each day.

Local people will be pleased to hear panto favourite Tim Stedman will be returning this year along with three other principals and two understudies.

But after a difficult 18 months, Mr Bown is nervous restrictions could change again:

“I’m concerned that there will be reluctance to come back, people may not want to come out in winter. It’s a huge cash cow for us that if that doesn’t deliver it jeopardises lots of other things.

“This theatre has a magic atmosphere so I can’t wait to have an audience in here again.”

The 120-year-old venue is currently undergoing a roof replacement.

A major £1 million roof restoration is ongoing but Mr Bown has been assured the builders are on track for a completion date in November.

The theatre will also be applying for the new government-backed insurance scheme to use as a fall back in case it does have to cancel shows.

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The theatre will be asking visitors to show their vaccine record, negative test result or give verbal assurances they do not have any covid symptoms. Mr Bown added:

“It is to reassure the audience we’re doing something to try to keep them as safe as possible. But of course if people still aren’t comfortable I would advise them not to come.”

Join us every night this week at 5pm for a new festive tale.

If you’ve enjoyed watching this story, please consider making a donation to Harrogate Theatre. Text HTTOGETHER to 70085 to donate £5. Texts cost £5 plus one standard message rate.

Harrogate Theatre Panto Stories are sponsored by Hornbeam Park.