2009 Season

A really cracking Programme this year.  Enough to blow away all thoughts of recession.  We start with Under Milk Wood.  Dylan Thomas's wonderfully lyrical writing conjures up by word pictures all the inhabitants of the village he invented.  Such a cast all played by one man in the performance which has travelled and been lauded all round the world.  Then probably the best Shakespeare Touring Company brings us a large (for a touring company) cast (including some TV favourites) to perform two Comedies.  The Dream is almost the definitive play with fine comedic interludes provided by the star-crossed lovers and the mechanicals.  Much Ado is a superbly iventive romp whiling away our time as it does the play's. We then have our usual Glenn Miller Concert but not so usual this year is a double bill which introduces what many feel are the liveliest jazz performers about - The Jive Aces.  The performance starts early and will finish late so come prepared.  This year's Gilbert & Sullivan operetta, Iolanthe, brings a very timely and appropriate satire on Government in some of Sullivan's best music and my favourite patter song.  We hope to finish our short season with another Last Night of the Proms.  Book early to get the best discounted prices for everything.

Where performed

Plays, Opera & smaller Concerts are usually performed on the Cedar Lawn, with a Wing of the House forming a magical backdrop.

The audience there is split between those buying allocated covered seats on raised staging, those on allocated seats not covered and groundlings who sit on the grass (no raised seats and not under cover) between the Seated Audience and the Stage area

For larger Concerts we have two options.

Courtyard Stage

We bring a raised and covered stage onto the Courtyard. This still leaves space there in front of the stage for some to approach close to the Stage or dance (if appropriate) in front of it. The main body of the audience enjoy their picnics on the Front Lawns while watching & listening.

Huge Stage

For large orchestras and big choirs or other performances requiring a much larger space we bring an enormouse covered stage onto the Front Lawn itself.

Festivals

For Festivals we may use the above stages and in addition (or instead) a variety of stages set on and around the Green in front of the range of oak framed farm buildings - a marvellously evocative area.

Sound

For all outdoor performances good sound is vital, and although both locations offer good natural acoustics that sometimes may not be enough. When needed, we import elaborate sound sytems to give good sound to all parts of the audience.

Performers

Whether Play, Opera or Concert, we prefer performers who are used to performing outside or, at the very least, are enthusiastic to try it and will play through rain or storm. Also we generally select performers we ourselves enjoy.

Weather

Many people consider it defies logic to have Open Air Performances of any sort in England at any time. Yet there is nothing to surpass a balmy English evening ... and they do occur - more frequently than some may acknowledge. Besides, Suffolk is in the driest region of England and Kentwell in one of the driest parts of Suffolk. Yet that does not save us from occasionally encountering inclement weather on Performance nights. So come prepared.

Refunds However, as we continue whatever the weather, there are no refunds given unless the performance does not take place.

Picnics

The English are enthusiastic picnickers. All Kentwell performances offer the audience the opportunity to picnic in the beautiful Gardens, floodlit after dark. The audience may bring whatever paraphenalia they can carry: tables, chairs, candelabra, etc.

For Courtyard Concerts the audience may picnic on the Front Lawns as they enjoy the Performance.

For performances on the Cedar Lawn where there is organized seating you picnic elsewhere in the Gardens before the show starts and during a one hour supper interval.

For any show you can also hire one of Kentwell's solid picnic tables.

Kentwell Catering

Kentwell usually offers Buffet Suppers or Basket Picnics for Plays & Opera and has Refreshment and Beer Tents for larger Concerts & Festivals featuring our own meat and locally sourced Ales.

Catering for Large Parties

We can also provide Catering for very large parties either in the Overcroft or in a Marquee on the Lawn and serve suppers there for up to about 200. This is an excellent way to celebrate your Birthday, Wedding Anniversary or entertain favoured customers.