Idyllic setting for two magical outdoor shows at Kew Gardens

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, will provide the stunning setting for two magical outdoor theatrical performances from the Australian Shakespeare Company later this month.

The idyllic grounds of the UNESCO World Heritage Site will play host to Kenneth Grahame's family favourite The Wind in the Willows and Shakespeare comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Kew Gardens provides the picture-perfect location for a daytime show or a summer's evening under the stars.

Ratty, Mole, Badger and friends will be down by the riverbank for enchanting morning and afternoon performances of The Wind in the Willows, which runs from July 24 to August 30, 2021.

This critically-acclaimed outdoor production, set against the heavenly backdrop of Kew Gardens' lake, is packed with much-loved characters, music, song and laughter.

As the evening draws in, A Midsummer Night's Dream takes centre stage beneath the heritage trees at the Theatre Lawn, behind the Palm House, from July 28 to August 29, which shows starting at 8pm.

A dream-like woodland provides the setting for feuding fairies, eloping lovers and a hapless troupe of actors. Into the mix, add a spellbinding potion and a mischievous sprite for a summer night of mayhem like no other.

The productions have been re-imagined and conceived by Glenn Elston, the award-winning Artistic Director of the Australian Shakespeare Company.

What: The Wind in the Willows

Where: Main Lake (Northern End), The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

When: 24 July – 30 August 2021: Wednesdays - Sundays AND Monday 30 August.

Morning & afternoon shows available

Running Time: 1 hour 30 mins

Why Visit:   Discover a fun adventure with lots of laughs and surprises in the wonderful setting of Kew Gardens

Admission: Adult £22.90 Child (age 1-15) £17.90 Group of 4: £70

Kew Members: Adult £18.90, Child (age 1-15) £13.90 Group of 4 £64
Ticket price includes admission to the Gardens after the performance

Getting There: Parking is available near Brentford Gate entrance (TW9 3AF) on Ferry Lane. Parking fee £7

 

What:   A Midsummer Night's Dream

Where: Theatre Lawn, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. (Enter via Victoria Gate)

When:  From 28 July – 29 August 2021. Performance times Tues – Sun: 8pm.
No performances scheduled on 10 - 11 August 2021.

Why Visit: An opportunity to watch this enchanting comedy in the wonderful setting of Kew Gardens

Admission: Adult £30 - £46, Concession £25 - £43, Child (age 5-15) £17

             Kew Members: Adult £28 - £42, Concession £23 - £39, Child (age 5-15) £15

Gates open 1.5 hours before start of the performance

Getting There: Car parking is available at National Archives Car Park.

Website: theatreonkew.co.uk

 

For more information please contact:

Nikki Smith | nikki@flamingo-marketing.co.uk | 01637 873379 or 07525 780624

 

Notes to Editors - The Wind in the Willows

 

• The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – Saturday 24 July – Monday 30 August 2021

Wed & Sun: 10.30am / Thurs – Sat: 10.30am & 2pm / Mon 30 Aug: 10.30am & 2pm

• Parking is available near Brentford Gate entrance (TW9 3AF) on Ferry Lane. Parking fee £7
• Please enter via VICTORA GATE, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – tickets may only be validated via this gate. The Wind in the Willows takes place at the Main Lake (north end) which is a 20 minute walk from Victoria Gate. Performances are across two locations with a stroll between each.

what3words starting location: ///crop.zealous.tins

what3words finishing location: ////kick.plots.always

• We encourage the purchase all tickets in advance as there is limited capacity to each performance, (transaction fee applies). All available tickets for that performance will remain on-sale via the website upto 30 minutes past show time.
• No photography or recording is permitted during the show, but there will be an opportunity to take photographs with the characters after the show.

  

A Midsummer Night's Dream

• Performance times Tues – Sun: 8pm.
• Running Time: 2 hours 20 mins including intermission
• Box office opens 1.5 hours prior to performance start time and guests may enjoy the gardens prior to the show.
• Box office opens 1.5 hours prior to performance start time and guests may enjoy the gardens prior to the show.
• Please enter via VICTORA GATE ONLY, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. All other entrances to Kew Gardens will close at 7pm. Performances take place in the Berberis Dell which is a 5 minute walk from Victoria Gate. What3words location: ///steep.dusty.poem
• Guests are asked to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the show start time.
• Car parking is available at National Archives Car Park. Parking fee: £10.
  Parking is only accessible from 6pm and cars must vacate the car park by 11pm.

Please note that on-site parking near the Brentford Gate will not be available for performances.

• Please purchase all tickets in advance as there is limited capacity to each performance, (transaction fee applies). All available tickets for that evening's performance will remain on-sale via the website up to 30 minutes past show time.
• No photography or recording is permitted during the show.

 

What to bring: Pack a picnic and a blanket or picnic chair to sit on.

Food & beverages will also be available for purchase during the evening. (Knives & picnic tables are prohibited). Please bring something cosy for when the sun sets and a raincoat in case of inclement weather. 

 

Inclement Weather: If a performance is cancelled due to inclement weather, tickets will be rescheduled to an alternative date of the ticketholders choosing. If they cannot attend a new date, a refund will be issued. See website for further terms and conditions.

About Theatre On Kew

Theatre On Kew is powered by the Australian Shakespeare Company and has been operating in Kew Gardens for the past 5 summers. To date it has presented productions of The Wind in the Willows, Tinkerbell and the Dream Fairies and Alice in Wonderland. This summer it is pleased to be presenting its dynamic production of A Midsummer Night's Dream together with its acclaimed production of the family favourite, The Wind in the Willows.

Theatre On Kew presents exciting, accessible and contemporary productions of Shakespeare & children's classics in an innovative and interactive style within botanical gardens and other beautiful locations around the world.

About Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a world-famous scientific organisation, internationally respected for its outstanding collections as well as its scientific expertise in plant diversity, conservation and sustainable development in the UK and around the world. Kew Gardens is a major international and a top London visitor attraction.

Kew Gardens' 132 hectares of landscaped gardens, and Wakehurst, Kew's Wild Botanic Garden, attract over 2.5 million visits every year. Kew Gardens was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2003 and celebrated its 260th anniversary in 2019. Wakehurst is home to Kew's Millennium Seed Bank, the largest wild plant seed bank in the world. RBG Kew receives approximately one third of its funding from Government through the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and research councils. Further funding needed to support RBG Kew's vital work comes from donors, membership and commercial activity including ticket sales.