Surrey set for new outdoor theatre

An open-air theatre is to open among purple fields of lavender in Surrey this summer.

Mayfield Lavender Farm will host the 250-seat Lavender Theatre at its site in Epsom, as part of a £2m investment project which also includes a coffee bar and glasshouse restaurant.

The new venue is being privately funded and managed by Lavender Productions Ltd. It plans to produce shows throughout the summer, starting with musical Annie Get Your Gun from 17 July.

Lavender Theatre has been co-founded by Director Joe McNeice and Mayfield owner Brendan Maye.

McNeice said the venue will offer “more than just a visit to a theatre”.

“Audiences will be able dine in our glasshouse restaurant underneath Mediterranean citrus trees or grab a picnic to enjoy among the blossoming rows of lavender as the sun begins to set, before taking their seats in our covered auditorium to watch a show under the stars.

“We think it’s going to be a truly special experience.”