Outdoor Theatre: Much Ado About Nothing
Join the Handlebards for a bicycle-powered production of Shakespeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing' in the Pleasure Garden.
- Booking essential
Pedalling from venue to venue with all of their set, props and costumes on the back of their bikes, the HandleBards are a four-strong troupe of actors who are spending the summer bringing environmentally sustainable Shakespeare to venues across the UK.
Join the troupe at Petworth House for a bicycle-powered production of Shakespeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing' like you've never seen before. Follow a group of soldiers returning from the war to a household in Messina, kindling new love interests and re-kindling old rivalries. A parallel of love stories quickly become entangled with scheming, frivolity and melodrama in Shakespeare's famous comedy. In usual HandleBards style, expect riotous amounts of energy, a fair old whack of chaos, and a great deal of laughter.
This is an outdoor production, so please bring a chair or blanket to sit on, a picnic to dig into, and dress for the weather!
Doors open at 6pm, performance begins at 7pm with a short interval. Drinks and light refreshments will be available to purchase on the evening. Under 5's go free, no ticket needed.
Times
Prices
| Ticket type | Ticket category |
|---|---|
| Adult 21 and under | £11.50 |
| Adult Early Bird | £16.00 |
| Adult Standard | £19.00 |
| Child 12 and under | £3.50 |
The basics
- Booking details
Call n/a
- Suitability
Suitable for families
- Meeting point
Doors open at 6pm, so bring a picnic and come and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Please note arrival is via main car park only.
- Accessibility
This is an outdoors performance and surfaces may be uneven - the audience seating area is on a gentle grass slope and there is a mobility buggy that runs from the car park to the back of the performance area. Assistance dogs only.
- Other
Chairs, picnics, blankets and any other low level accessories are welcome. In case of rain, please don't bring umbrellas as they block sight-lines for other audience members. Ponchos and raincoats are just as fetching, so please wear these instead. Assistance dogs only. Please note arrival is via main car park only
Upcoming events
A Christmas Spectacular at Petworth House
Step into a festive wonderland set in the grand state rooms of Petworth House. Marvel at beautifully decorated trees and garlands, but be sure to look closely as there are some mischievous mice who have come to play.
Little Antlers: Wild Wednesdays
Join us for some hands-on fun! Roll up your sleeves and dive into our crafts and activities, specially designed for our littlest visitors. These activities include make and take crafts, and may take place outdoors, so come prepared!
Little Antlers: Story Time
Join us for a special story time at Petworth Park, designed specifically for toddlers aged 2 to 4 and their caregivers. Learn new stories or enjoy some classics, and afterwards take part in a ‘make and take’ crafting activity based on the book!
Spring Festival 2025
Join us from 5 - 27 April for our annual Spring Festival to celebrate the arrival of a new season with spectacular bulb displays, events and activities.