Shows in the open air

Peter Pan

Heartbreak Productions

Holkham Hall Pottery Yard

The ever-popular family fantasy Peter Pan kicked off the Holkham outdoor theatre season in the lavender-fringed Pottery Yard.

It is the perfect venue for up-close theatre and Heartbreak Productions really brought the well-loved story to life on Tuesday evening.

The six-strong cast who play up to four parts each (as well as entertaining the audience beforehand, selling programmes and putting up and taking down the set) are performing Peter Pan on no fewer than 68 occasions this summer up and down the country. But the energy, enthusiasm and emotion they gave the 340 sell-out audience in the intimate location was as if it was a one-off.

One minute they were pirates, then they were lost boys and then they were Red Indians.

You can tell they are actors and actresses who truly enjoy sharing their love of the unique concept of outdoor theatre with others.

The members of the crowd on rugs were within a few feet of the set and there was lots of audience participation, from Captain Hook chants to Red Indian yowls.

The children who had dressed up as pirates and fairies certainly added to the occasion.

The fine summer evening was the icing on the cake - although even with lovely weather the courtyard does get chilly, so it is well worth taking a jacket or jumper.

Heartbreak are doing a total of four touring productions this year and one of the others - Charley's Aunt (a farce by Brandon Thomas) - is also at Holkham on Friday, August 22, at 6pm.

There are also other open air theatre shows at Holkham by other touring groups: tomorrow, Mad and Merry Monarchs (6pm); Saturday, August 16, Alice In Wonderland (5pm); and Wednesday, August 27, Sleeping Beauty, 6pm.

Tickets available from the Holkham box office on 01328 713111.

Ian Clarke