Outdoor theatre to return to Kew this summer

The Australian Shakespeare Company will return to Kew Gardens with a summer season of outdoor theatre.

The company, which has presented outdoor and site-specific work for more than 40 years, will again present its “Theatre on Kew” programme in the Royal Botanic Gardens from 18 July 2026. Performances will be staged across the summer period with entry to Kew Gardens included in all tickets.

The season opens with The Wind in the Willows, running from 18 July to 23 August, with performances scheduled on Wednesdays to Sundays at 11am and additional afternoon performances on selected days. The production marks the 40th anniversary of Glenn Elston’s adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s story.

From the same opening date, Jack and the Beanstalk will also run until 23 August. This UK premiere is presented as a relaxed picnic-style outdoor production aimed at family audiences. Twelfth Night will run from 25 July to 30 August in evening performances.

Performance schedules vary across the three productions, with daytime and evening slots running concurrently across parts of the season.