Free open air theatre to take place at Westenhanger Castle

19 April 2022

Westenhanger Castle will be the venue for a series of free open air theatre performances this June in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Up the Road Theatre has been commissioned to write and stage a new production in the grounds of Westenhanger Castle, written specially for the occasion.

Tales Through Time: A Right Royal Gallop is a lively celebration of the Queen’s reign. Guided by the radiant Lady Rosamund and her eager employee, audiences can expect fun, laughter and more than a little audience involvement on this whistle-stop tour of the past 70 years.

Built in medieval times, Westenhanger Castle has rich links to royalty and nobility including a period of ownership by King Henry VIII. It was also visited by Queen Elizabeth I. Following a period of private ownership, the castle is now owned by Folkestone & Hythe District Council and is used as a venue for events. It is included within plans for Otterpool Park, a proposed new garden town.

Free tickets are available to book online at www.eventbrite.co.uk by searching ‘Westenhanger Castle’ or ‘Tales Through Time’ for the following performances:

• SOLD OUT – Friday 3 June: 2pm
• Friday 3 June: 6pm – (BSL interpretation) Book here
• SOLD OUT – Sunday 5 June: 11am – Book here

The production has been designed with families in mind and is suitable for any age group.

Attendees are invited to bring along their picnics, folding chairs and picnic blankets to the performances that will held over the June bank holiday weekend. There will be some straw bales set up for seating, as well as well a hog roast, cream teas and strawberries and cream available to purchase. The bar will be open.

British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation will be available for selected shows – details of this will be added to Eventbrite when confirmed.

Tamasin Jarrett, Community Services and Events Manager at Otterpool Park LLP said, “The Platinum Jubilee weekend will be a time of national celebration and we are really excited to announce these free, open air theatre events at Westenhanger Castle.

“With its royal history and stunning grounds, it’s the ideal place to celebrate the occasion with family and friends on the Bank Holiday weekend.”

Nicola Pollard from Up The Road Theatre said, “As a Kent-based company, we are delighted to have been asked to create a show for local audiences to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Westenhanger Castle is a beautiful space and we’re really looking forward to bringing the show to life in the grounds.”