Welcome

2024 IS A VERY EXCITING YEAR FOR THE FESTIVAL

THEATRE AT HEVER CASTLE

March – September 2024

We will have a new theatre, ready to open on the Two Sisters’ Lawn for the start of our main Season this May.

ALL TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW

The theatre is a new structure with every seat undercover and we have a new seating plan. The new structure will be installed in late April, so if you are passing the theatre lawn in the Spring you may well see it going up.

  • Has one continuous roof, every seat is undercover.
  • The seating arrangement is very similar to our previous one, with row C being the first raised level in the front section. The East and West Tiers row A is now row F.
  • The East and West tiers will be joined in the middle, so you can now sit right in the middle of the raised level.
  • The roof section over the auditorium will be transparent, so you will be able to enjoy the sun or stars!
  • The stage area will have the capacity for a new high-tech lighting rig.
  • The theatre lawns remain unchanged – they are just as stunning and fragrant.

As the build progresses, we will be posting images here and on our social feeds.


To celebrate our new home we have programmed more events than in any previous year. LOADS of festival favourites are returning, and many NEW artists and events are dotted amongst the programme. The full programme can be viewed here.

Highlighting some of our new events:

  • We’re delighted to be working with the Castle curatorial team and Historian Dr Owen Emmerson on The History Festival at Hever Castle. Our first ever deep-dive into Tudor history with four days of events.
  • The Ronnie Scott’s Club are featuring highly with three different Ronnie’s ensembles, the first on Sat 25 May. They are not all straight jazz, The Jazz Dynamos are re-imagining songs from the 70’s – 80’s and The Soul Family starring festival favourite, Natalie Williams, are bringing Motown and More.
  • The Circus of Curiosities at Chiddingstone Castle is a joyous afternoon of curious circus acts, the opportunity to work on your circus skills too in our
  • skills workshops and Chiddingstone Castle have teamed with us to create a Curious Trail through the Castle museum. Joint tickets are available.
  • A Cavalcade of Noel and Cole is a charming and sophisticated soiree – a selection of Noel Coward and Cole Porter’s musical repertoire. A sparkling cabaret of many of your favourites with fascinating insights into the composers’ lives.
  • Taylor Mania, The Best of Bacharach, Strictly Dan and The Beatles For Sale join our established programme of dazzling music nights.

As ever afternoon Tea is available to purchase with your theatre ticket for our play matinees (of which we have twice as many as before) and pre-theatre suppers, if you are not planning on bringing a picnic, can be booked online once you have purchased your theatre tickets.

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While the theatre is being built, we are running a series of fundraiser events. We have an exciting line-up of festival artists working with us on a variety of events. They have willingly offered their brilliance in support of the festival for which we are hugely touched and extremely grateful. All these events are taking place indoors, in the warm. They include the opportunity to visit Hever Castle gardens following the afternoon performances taking place on the estate. All the events are listed on our programme page.


JOIN OUR FESTIVAL FRIENDS

Did you know that Festival Friends can book an UNLIMITED number of tickets at the discounted rate and with Silver and Gold membership can arrive earlier on the day of the performance? Do read through the new membership levels here. Designed to heighten your festival experience with priority booking and discounted tickets, all to entice you to join and support us. We might be the longest-running open-air festival in the South-East but we like to count our age by our Friends, not by our years.

As the longest running open-air theatre in the South East we are here for audiences to discover all the Arts can offer. By becoming a Festival Friend you will be supporting our work and the longevity of the theatre. Full details available here.

We can’t wait to welcome you in 2024. What a great year it is going to be!

The Festival Theatre at Hever Castle Team


GIFT VOUCHERS

Gift vouchers are available here and cost between £5- £60. Vouchers will be sent to you by email so you can print them off or pass them on by email. The greenest of presents and the gift of excellent entertainment and barmy summer nights!


WHY ARE WE RUNNING A FUNDRAISING PROGRAMME?

You may be wondering why we are fundraising. It is to help us with our winter overheads and the costs related to establishing ourselves in our new venue. The 2024 season will go ahead as planned, we just need a little help to get there.


Comments from our audience during the 2023 season

‘Love what you all do here, it really is something spectacular.’ – LT  

‘Such a great night with some fantastic acts.’ – AM on Grinstock Comedy 

‘OMG her sax is on fire!’ – IS on Dinner Jazz 

‘Well done Hever Festival a brilliant night with ELO again. 2 Standing Ovations and completely deserved.’ – NC on ELO Again 

‘Enjoyed an exquisite evening watching this lovely ballet against the backdrop of the Loggia. Magical, emotional and memorable in equal measure.’ – PO on Nightingale 

‘Very funny production!’ – CW on A Chorus of Disapproval 

‘Another lovely evening with a fantastic performance!’ – RCW 

‘We enjoyed Pride & Prejudice last night overlooking the castle and it was a fabulous performance thank you for a beautiful evening.’ – SK-S on Pride and Prejudice 

‘Brilliant evening. We had a fabulous time.’ – RCW 

Comments from our 2023 artists 

‘Wahey! We had such fun at Hever!’ – Trinity Creative Engagement 

‘Try keeping us away!!! Thank you so much for having us. We had a ball!!’ – Night Owl Shows 

‘Thank you so much for having us again, it was an absolute joy as always. See you next year.’ – Immersion Theatre Company