Dream date for open-air Shakespeare

A historic hall is continuing its drive to place itself at the heart of a village community by opening its gates to theatre.

Hagley Hall will be the backdrop for a performance of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream on August 29. It is the first time it has staged such an event in many years and it is one in a series of schemes to make the hall and its grounds more accessible to the community.

The play will be staged by the Chapterhouse Theatre Company, based in Lincoln. Gates open at 5.30pm and the performance is at 7.30pm. Tickets are £12 for individuals or £35 for a family of two adults and two children, from Hagley Hall on 01562 882408 or the Hagley Cafe, Worcester Road, Hagley. People can bring their own picnic if they wish but there will be a pig roast on site alongside a wine and champagne bar.

Hall head of events Kate Oliver said: "It's a long time since we staged anything like this. However since we have now relaunched the hall itself for weddings and corporate entertaining it would be sad if we were not looking for events in the park also.

"After all, unusually the hall was built to fit into the park which was a masterpiece of 18th century gardening on a grand scale."

Chapterhouse spokesman Richard Main said they had been approached to stage an outdoor performance after staging a private show for Lord Cobham earlier in the year.

"He was very impressed with the performance and thought it would be tremendous to do a show in the grounds of the hall for members of the public," he said.

"We are really looking forward to it."

Earlier this year Lord Cobham, who succeeded to the title following the death of his brother in 2006, opened up the estate for the first walk around the park in 20 years.

People flocked to the open event which was held for a fund raising event for St John the Baptist Church. The park was closed to the public after a series of vandal attacks.