This summer, Dorset‑based charity Artsreach invites audiences to grab their blankets and camp chairs, round up their friends and family and join them in the great outdoors to experience the joy of open‑air theatre, as part of its vibrant Summer 2026 programme. Three of the UK’s leading touring theatre companies promise laughter, adventure and unforgettable storytelling under the open sky.
Fast-paced and full of swashbuckling fun, Ha Hum Ah Theatre present a high-energy retelling of The Scarlet Pimpernel. Bursting with quick-fire comedy, bold characters and theatrical flair, three actors tear through revolutions, opera houses, seedy Dover pubs and glittering ballrooms using nothing but a mountain of wigs and sheer nerve. Expect a sharply modern, joyously theatrical open-air retelling of Baroness Orczy’s swashbuckling classic. Touring Dorset from 3 – 4 July.
Artsreach favourites Miracle Theatre return from Cornwall, bringing their signature blend of warmth, magic and comedy to a bold new reimagining of Ibsen’s classic, Peer Gynt. Expect a journey through the dreamlike world of Norse mythology, packed with cranky characters, trolls and other bizarre creatures – a comedy of terrors! Touring Dorset from 5 – 6 August.
Completing the lineup are the anarchic and much-loved Three Inch Fools, who head to the dramatic coastal setting of Kimmeridge Bay on 20 August with King Arthur & The Holy Fail. Famous for their Monty Python-inspired humour, multi-role performances and irrepressible energy, the company delivers a riotous, family-friendly take on Arthurian legend. Saddle up – things are about to get legendary!
Artsreach’s open‑air theatre programme forms a key part of its summer season, which runs from May to August and brings high‑quality professional performances to rural communities across Dorset. By transforming outdoor spaces into temporary theatres, Artsreach continues its mission to connect communities, support artists and make cultural experiences accessible close to home.
Artsreach summer programmes are now available to pick up from libraries and tourist information centres across Dorset. Full performance details and tickets are available online: www.artsreach.co.uk
