Picnic blankets at the ready, because you can watch Shakespeare for free outdoors this summer in a glorious riverside setting in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Where you can watch Shakespeare for free outdoors this summer

The Royal Shakespeare Company has organised a summer-long programme of weekend performances in The Dell.

Every weekend in June, July, August and early September, this pretty little spot – located between the RSC theatres and Holy Trinity Church on the banks of the River Avon – will see short performances of William Shakespeare’s best works in abridged form or as a mash-up of plays.

Outdoor staging will host a range of acting troupes in the open-air theatre each weekend, from school groups and amateur performers to professional theatre companies.

Performances are typically an hour and 30 minutes long and audience members are asked to arrive 10-15 minutes before the start time to get comfortable on the grass. There’s no need to book, just turn up.

What’s on at the open-air theatre?

If you want to watch Shakespeare for free outdoors this summer, check out the RSC’s online brochure. Highlights include versions of The Tempest, Romeo and Juliet, and Much Ado About Nothing.

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Information correct at date of publication