Matinee
AS YOU LIKE IT
ILLYRIA
In this play Shakespeare explores Love in all its guises. Four pairs of soulmates meet in the mysterious Forest of Arden. One pair leap straight into bed. Another pair are instantaneously dumbstruck by each other’s beauty and pledge their undying troth. The third pair torment each other: he showers chaste love upon her which she haughtily rejects – yet secretly she enjoys the flattery.
The fourth pair go further still, playfully blurring their roles and identities to such an extent that flirting becomes more pain than pleasure, and Love itself is pushed to the limit of its endurance – and beyond. Throughout the summer Shakespeare’s iconic comedy will be performed where its action is set – in the great outdoors, by a 5-strong cast of classically trained professional actors. Multi international award-winning Illyria has an unmatched reputation for excellence, forged over three decades, that dominates the outdoor touring theatre sector.
Join them this summer for a memorable night of laughter and romance under the stars.
Running time: 140-minutes (approximately), including a 20-minute interval.
Suitable for all ages.
Mon 31 Aug 2026, 3pm
Chiddingstone Castle
All ticket prices will be confirmed by 19 Jan 2026
Chiddingstone Castle North Lawn
Come prepared for the weather in this uncovered, stunningly beautiful venue.
You can bring your own seats, beanbags, rugs etc. along with your picnic. Choose where you would like to sit when you arrive, you will view the performance from there whilst enjoying your picnic (if you can save pudding until then).
The Castle Cafe will be open before the show for hot and cold drinks and light meals and ice cream.
If you are considering making a day of it the castle opening hours are 11am – 5pm (last entry 4:15pm), so please ensure you have visited before the performance starts.
Please note: umbrellas are welcome if required, gazebo’s are not.
About Chiddingstone Castle
Chiddingstone Castle is nestled in the heart of the Kentish countryside, surrounded by beautiful grounds and filled with extraordinary treasures. Turn your theatre trip into a full day out by visiting the historic house first and discover its fascinating stories. There is also a quintessentially British tea room with plenty of traditional homemade goodies to choose from if you wanted to enjoy lunch before the performance.
The castle has Tudor origins, Victorian rooms and was remodelled in the 19th century to resemble a medieval castle. It has been owned and lived in by an eclectic mix of people: the Streatfeild family, Lord Astor, military forces during WWII, Long Dene School and the last owner, Denys Eyre Bower.
Denys Eyre Bower (1905-1977) was a gifted collector, devoting his life to finding fascinating objects and works of art. He bought Chiddingstone Castle in 1955 to home his collections of Ancient Egyptian, Japanese, Jacobite and Stuart, and Buddhist objects. These worldwide treasures can be found on display to this day thanks to the private charitable trust that was set up after his death in 1977.
The Chiddingstone Castle team endeavour to help bring the stories of the artefacts, Denys and the castle history to life as well as maintaining the grounds and running events to attract a wide audience of visitors.
