Brought to you by Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens.

Magical summer nights make lifelong memories.

And in the atmospheric surrounds of the beautiful Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens, plans are already underway for one of their most enchanting events of the year.

The Chapterhouse Theatre Company’s Outdoor Theatre will be setting up at the heritage venue for the third consecutive summer, inviting theatre fans (and the curious) to take a seat on a deckchair or cosy up on a picnic blanket and watch a live performance as the sun sets on the historic East Cork mansion.

There’s something special in the programme for all ages, beginning with a performance of Pride & Prejudice at 7pm on June 27th.

Guests can enjoy delicious picnic food and drinks served al fresco at the venue by local suppliers and you’re also welcome to bring your own goodies to enjoy on the evening.

Settle in with your snacks and step back in time over 200 years as Elizabeth Bennet and her sisters navigate the mire of manners in regency society.

With stunning period costumes, timeless wit and a romantic original score, Chapterhouses’s Pride & Prejudice is a faithful telling of Austen’s greatest work.

A special treat for young audiences

Specially tailored to younger theatregoers, Chapterhouse will present an open-air garden performance of Beauty and the Beast later this summer on July 4th, 2024.

Beginning at 7pm, kids lucky enough to stay up late will be swept away by a brand-new telling of this classic fairy tale about an arrogant prince cursed to live as a hideous beast and his only hope; a kindly young woman in search of a rose.

Presented with lively original music and sparkling humour in a truly delightful setting, this rollicking new adaptation of Beauty and the Beast is the perfect treat.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

To round out the summer, Chapterhouse will present Shakespeare’s best-loved romantic comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Fota House on July 7th, 2024.

Let yourself be whisked away on an enchanting journey to the most magical of forests and meet bewitched lovers, playful fairies, and hilarious travelling players. With beautifully designed Elizabethan costumes and a wonderful musical score, an evening of unmissable summer garden theatre is guaranteed.

To book your tickets or to learn more about the Outdoor Theatre at Fota House, Gardens & Arboretum, visit fotahouse.com. You can also phone 021 481 5543 for further information.