The Great Midsummer Spectacular at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor

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The Great Midsummer Spectacular

Grosvenor Park, Chester
1 July-27 August 2023

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

The Great Midsummer Spectacular at Grosvenor Open Air Theatre
Image courtesy of Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre
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The Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre, the finest outdoor theatre in the North will host another spectacular summer of theatre for 2023.

The finest outdoor theatre in the North.

The Great Midsummer Spectacular features all of our favourite things – top-quality open-air performance alongside music, storytelling and comedy. Topping the bill this year is a spellbinding, family-friendly performance of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and for the very first time, a heart-racing and dazzling production of The Great Gatsby. Both of these productions will take centre stage, beneath the stars, in Grosvenor Park’s glorious theatre.

Topping the bill is a family-friendly performance of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and a dazzling production of The Great Gatsby.

With the addition of a brand-new theatre space – ‘The Other Stage’ – in the festival tepee, there’s a definite summer festival vibe to this year’s event too. Expect a super programme of live music and performance alongside wood-fired pizza, frozen cocktails and local craft ales.

The setting for this open-air performance spectacular really is unrivalled.

Boasting a 500-seat in-the-round theatre, the lush backdrop for all of these open-air performances really is unique. Established in 2010, Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre is one of the UK’s best-loved open-air theatres and regularly plays to sold-out audiences across the summer. The theatre is produced by Storyhouse, Chester’s award-winning cultural centre.

The setting for The Great Midsummer Spectacular really is unrivalled – think starry warm nights, the pleasing sound of popping corks, pre-show picnics and content audiences. Exceptional performances, good company and fresh air – summer in Chester really couldn’t get better than this.

Where to go near The Great Midsummer Spectacular at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre

Chester City Walls
Chester
Tourist Attraction
Chester City Walls

Chester’s city walls are the oldest, longest and most complete in Britain, parts of which are almost 2000 years old. The main access onto the walls is at each of the four main gateways – Northgate, Eastgate, Watergate and Bridgegate, plus there are many other steps around the city, some including accessible ramps.

ChesterBoat river cruise, Chester
Chester
Tourist Attraction
ChesterBoat

ChesterBoat is a family-owned business with more than forty year’s experience of welcoming visitors to the beautiful River Dee. They offer half-hour and two-hour sightseeing cruises, as well as private hires, fish and chip cruises, and themed party nights.

Chester Roman Gardens
Chester
Park
Roman Gardens

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Cheshire
Gallery
Clarendon Fine Art

Contemporary art on display and for sale in Cheshire. Come and browse their varied collections and converse with knowledgeable staff.

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Cheshire
Restaurant
Metronome Jazz Bar

This small and atmospheric bar is a cosy venue with a resident Jazz pianist, fantastic staff and a record player filled with, naturally, iconic jazz.

Whitmore & White
Chester
Shop
Whitmore & White

Whitmore & White is an award-winning deli and independent wine merchant in the heart of romantic Chester serving a plethora of charcuterie, cheeses and confectionery.

Edgar House hotel, Chester
Chester
Hotel
Edgar House

Edgar House is a fine period Georgian house which has been lovingly refurbished to create Chester’s award winning premier small luxury hotel – just for adults.

Chester Cathedral
Chester
Place of worship
Chester Cathedral

Chester Cathedral is a living community of prayer and worship, and a centre of excellence in Church Music with a rich and fascinating heritage.

Oddfellows hotel, Chester
Chester
Hotel
Oddfellows

Oddfellows hotel inhabits a Georgian townhouse right bang in the middle of Chester, only moments away from the river.

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