EVENTS
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© Michael Jean-Marain
SHAKESPEARE ’ S GLOBE // 25-27 MAY
Shakespeare ’ s Globe is delighted to announce that the national and international tour of three Shakespeare plays as part of Michelle Terry ’ s first season as artistic director will launch in Chilham Castle , Kent . Brendan O ’ Hea will direct the tour of eight actors with The Merchant of Venice , The Taming of the Shrew and Twelfth Night . The company is offering the audience the chance to pick their choice from the three plays , mimicking a tradition from Shakespeare ’ s day .
The Merchant of Venice will be the first performance in the grounds of Chilham Castle , followed by Twelfth Night as a matinee on Saturday , and then The Taming of the Shrew on Saturday evening . The audience attending the Sunday matinee and evening performances will have the chance to vote for their choice of play . The running time will be approximately two hours ( including an interval ). The weekend will continue through to bank holiday Monday with the famous Chilham Chase , Britain ’ s oldest fun run , where participants of all ages race across the beautiful parkland setting of Chilham Castle .
Various time . Price : from £ 10 Chilham Castle , Chilham Park , Chilham , Canterbury CT4 8DB www . shakespearesglobe . com / 020 7401 9919
WHAT THE LADYBIRD HEARD // 26-27 MAY
Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len have a cunning plan to steal the farmer ’ s fine prize cow . But they reckon without the tiniest , quietest creature of all : the ladybird has a plan of her own ! Join the woolly sheep , the hairy hog , the fat red hen and the dainty dog as they take on the villains in this hit musical stage adaptation of What the Ladybird Heard by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks , published by Macmillan Children ’ s Books . This action-packed 55-minute adventure has original songs , live music , puppetry , plenty of audience participation and lots of laughs , making it the perfect treat for families with children aged three and up .
11.30am and 2pm . Price : £ 12 EM Forster Theatre , Tonbridge School , High Street , Tonbridge TN9 1JP www . boxoffice . tonbridge-school . co . uk / 01732 304241
THE BEAST AT BETTESHANGER // 26-28 MAY
The world ’ s largest inflatable obstacle course , known as The Beast , will be returning to Betteshanger Park , near Deal , for the second year this May . The formidable inflatable obstacle course will be at the popular park from Saturday 26th May to Monday 28th May and it will be a world first , 384m long course – making it over 100 metres longer and a length that has never before been attempted .
From 10am . Price : £ 15 Betteshanger Park , Sandwich Road , Deal CT14 0BF www . betteshanger-park . co . uk / events / the-beast / 01304 619227
EDWARDIAN LIFE AT THE CASTLE // 26 MAY-3 JUN
Step back in time to the early 20th century when the Astor family were in residence for halfterm family fun . Visitors can enjoy a traditional Punch and Judy show with a Tudor twist ( look out for Henry VIII and his six wives !) as well as try their hand at games from the period including a coconut shy * (* small additional charge ), tin-can alley and bean bag race , or enjoy a leisurely game of croquet on the lawn .
Learn about the study and collection of butterflies and moths from the colourful resident lepidopterist . Meet costumed characters from the era as you explore the award-winning gardens and look out for visitors arriving in full Edwardian dress with prizes for the best dressed boy and girl each day . Children can play traditional Edwardian games in the castle , or explore the rooms to learn about the history of the time . Discover the Astor family ’ s rags-to-riches story in an interactive exhibition in the Astor Suite . Listen to interviews with former ‘ below stairs ’ staff on oldfashioned telephones and radios and watch rare archive home movies from the Astor ’ s collection .
From 10.30am . Price : £ 17.25 ( children 5-15 £ 9.75 ) Hever Castle , Hever , Edenbridge TN8 7NG www . hevercastle . co . uk / 01732 865224
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