SHAKESPERE UNDER THE STARS

‘As You Like It’ Comes to Arundel Castle

The gardens at Arundel Castle will once again be transformed into a stunning open-air theatre on Friday 21^st August and Saturday 22^nd August for a special performance of Shakespeare’s romantic comedy As You Like It.

Set in the castle’s Earl’s Garden with the captivating backdrop of Oberon’s Palace and Arundel Cathedral, this unique production, presented by the renowned Illyria¹, forms part of a memorable opening to the Arundel Festival of the Arts – one of the region’s most anticipated cultural celebrations.

As You Like It explores love in all its guises. Four pairs of soulmates meet in the Forest of Arden. One pair leap straight into bed. Another pair are dumbstruck by each other’s beauty. The third pair torment each other. 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 endurance and beyond.

Andrew Lewis, Castle Manager at Arundel Castle, commented:

“We are delighted to be able to welcome audiences back to the Earl’s Garden as part of the Arundel Festival of the Arts 2026. International, award-winning Illyria has an enviable reputation for excellence, forged from over three decades of experience as a touring theatre. Their performances of As You Like It promise to offer visitors a memorable night of sparkling wit, laughter and romance under the stars, all within the truly magical setting of the Castle gardens.”

Tickets for Arundel Castle’s Shakespeare open-air theatre, As You Like It, are available at www.arundelcastle.org. Priced at £25 per adult and £18 for children aged 8-16, this enchanting show is suitable for audiences aged eight and above. The performance will begin promptly at 7.30pm, with the grounds opening at 6pm for picnics and the seating area opening at 6.45pm. Hot and cold drinks, wine and beer are available. Running time is approximately 2hrs 20mins, including a 20-minute interval.

Arundel Castle reserves the right to change events or access to areas at any time – the full gardens/grounds are not open on the evenings of the productions. All catering is subject to menu and opening hours, variations, and availability. Tickets are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled by the organiser for reasons other than the weather. Please check the website for full details.