Outdoor Theatre of 2012 at Lytham Hall - Jane Austen's 'Emma' Chapterhouse Theatre Company - Friday 15th June, 7.30pm.

For the opening production of the outdoor season Lincoln-based Chapterhouse Theatre company make their Lytham Hall debut with their production of Jane Austen’s Emma.

Adapted for the stage by Laura Thompson from Austens’s popular novel , the play comes to Lytham as part of a nationwide tour encompassing some fifty open air venues. Producer Richard Main and his cast portray all the tensions of country house life as the handsome, clever and rich Emma encounters the perils of romance.

Shakespeare's 'Henry V' Illyria - Tuesday 3rd July 7.30pm.

Lytham Hall favourites Illyria bring Oliver Gray’s production of Shakespeare’s Henry V to the Fylde coast for their first visit of the summer. Shakespeare’s most patriotic and stirring play, made famous by Sir Laurence Olivier on stage and Kennneth Branagh on film, will capture the nation’s mood of 2012 as The Queen celebrates her Diamond Jubilee and the country hopes for Olympic glory. It’s a 7.30 pm start and a 10 pm finish, with gates opening at 6 pm for picnics.

Gilbert & Sullivan's 'HMS Pinafore' Illyria 7.30pm - Thursday 12th July

Following record attendances on their for their first-ever musical Pirates of Penzance tour last summer Illyria are setting sail round the country again, this time with Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore. A cast of just seven, aided by a musical director on keyboards, will play everyone from Sir Joseph Porter, First Lord of the Admiralty to Dick Deadeye and Little Buttercup as well as all Sir Joseph’s Sisters, Cousins and Aunts! The performance lasts 150 minutes, including a 20 minute interval.

Roald Dahl's 'The Twits' Illyria 4pm - Sunday 26th August

A Roald Dahl play at Lytham Hall on August Bank Holiday Sunday afternoon has quickly become a regular treat for local families with over 500 attending last summer. This year Illyria round off the Lytham season and their own 21st summer of touring with David Wood’s adaptation of Dahl’s The Twits. Producer Oliver Gray promises to make the most of Dahl’s especially grotesque and obnoxious adult characters – a delight for all children! - in the ninety minute performance.

Tickets are £12 for adults, £6 for School Children, £9.50 for Senior Citizens for all shows. Tickets: Lowther Pavillon 01253 794221 or use the 24 hour on line booking at www.lowtherpavilion.co.uk, Storytellers, Inc The Crescent, St Annes phone 781690.
Plackitt and Booth, Booksellers, Lytham - Tel: 01253 796958, Lytham Hall, Tel: 01253 736652, Stringers Homelife, Haven Road, Tel: 01253 740700, Apple Bikes, Orchard Road, St Annes, Tel: 01253 725349,
Lowther Pavilion on-line booking at www.lowtherpavilion.co.uk or by phone 01253 794221.
Storytellers Inc, St Annes 01253 781690 Silverdell, Poulton Street. Kirkham phone 01772 683444.
Bennetts Bakery, Ansdell phone 01253 736318 The Music Cellar, Fox Street Preston phone 01772 251407
Tower Music, Topping Street, Blackpool phone 01253 627359.

More details of Illyria's plays and tours visit www.illyria.uk.com or Chapterhouse www.chapterhouse.org
Booking opens on line, in person or by phone from 16th April 2012.

* Car Parking close to the arena.
* Licensed Bar
* Refreshments on sale at the interval
* Bring your own seating and rug
* Cancellation only in the event of hurricane!