Sell-out performances for our summer Outdoor Theatre and Cinema Season

Wed 15 Aug 2018

There’s been plenty of excitement in Markeaton Park Craft Village this summer as our Outdoor Theatre and Cinema season returned along with the hot weather! We brought thrilling shows from Oddsocks Productions, Babbling Vagabonds and Squashbox Theatre, as well as showings of classic films, all in the beautiful surroundings of Markeaton Park.

Oddsocks kicked off the season with their new adaptation of Shakespeare’s tale of illusion and revenge, The Tempest, from 14 to 16 June.  Audiences experienced The Tempest like never before as they were transported to a distant universe, where they found Prospero, an ageing astronaut, his fearless daughter Miranda and a host of madcap aliens.

Audiences enjoyed watching Shakespeare with a ‘Mod and Rockers twist’ in the beautiful setting of the craft village from 24 to 26 July. Outdoor theatre favourites, Oddsocks once again lit up Markeaton Park with their twist on Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, Romeo & Juliet. Described as "Bawdy, mad cap and energetic!",the showhad audiences laughing throughout, as the trials and tribulations of the two star-crossed lovers unfolded to a soundtrack of foot-tapping and well-loved anthems. Feedback included, "Some of the funniest, fastest slapstick theatre we’re likely to see in a long time!".

After five hugely popular Christmas shows at the Guildhall Theatre, Babbling Vagabonds returned this summer, with an outdoor theatrical experience, A Wild Walk: The Golden Thief of Markeaton Park. Families with young children took part in an interactive experience from 27 to 31 July through Markeaton Park to discover who had been stealing the King’s apples.

Audiences had the time of their lives at a sell-out screening of 80’s crowd favourite Dirty Dancing, which took place on the evening of Friday 3 August. They re-lived all of their favourite moments between Baby (Jennifer Grey) and the holiday resort's dance instructor, Johnny (Patrick Swayze) as the two fall in love. The outdoor cinema experience was made complete with popcorn, pizza and a Dirty Daiquiri cocktail from The Orangery at Markeaton Park.

On Saturday 4 August there was a screening of the popular cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Fans of the time warp experienced a weird and wonderful houseful of wild characters as sweethearts Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon) discovered the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry), a transvestite scientist. Many viewers enjoyed special Rocky Margarita cocktails from The Orangery during the screening at Markeaton Park.

Squashbox Theatre also brought a large dose of theatre to the season with their two shows, Stones and Bones, and Curious Creatures between 9 and 11 August. These educational and fun puppet and live music shows were a delightful treat for the whole family and provided lots of laughs, slapstick and crazy characters, which were enjoyed by children and adults alike.