The Plough Open-Air Theatre Festival, 2026
43 World Class Performances by 17 Theatre Companies at 14 Beautiful Open Air Venues across North Devon
See the full programme
There are few better ways to spend a warm evening than gathered beneath an open sky, as a live performance unfolds against the backdrop of rolling countryside, beautiful gardens and some of the most beautiful landscapes in the South West.
This year, The Plough Arts Centre’s Open Air Theatre programme promises its most ambitious season yet. Opening on Sunday 24 May with Illyria’s lively adaptation of Pinocchio, in the gorgeous grounds of Ashridge Farm in North Tawton, the 2026 programme brings together 43 performances by 17 theatre companies across 14 stunning outdoor venues throughout North Devon and beyond.
Book in advance to save!
- Plough Supporter discount - get £2 off standard tickets!
- 6 ticket Bundle - purchase 6 tickets at once and get 10% off.
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Prices are individual to performance- please see each event listing on the website
All performances are approximately 2-hours
including a 20-minute interval unless otherwise stated.
Admission to the venue is 1 hour before performance start time unless otherwise stated
There will be a cash-prize raffle at each event.
Tickets can be bought with cash or card
Bring low-backed seating, blankets, and weather-appropriate clothing!
Check the venue information on the event listing for more venue-specific information about accessibility, food & drink options, and dogs.
See the full programme
| Event | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| The Pickwick Papers | Fri 19 Jun - 19:00pm | |
| The Pickwick Papers | Sat 20 Jun - 19:00pm | |
| Twelfth Night | Sat 27 Jun - 19:00pm | |
| The Return of the Native | Sat 04 Jul - 19:00pm | |
| The Return of the Native | Sun 05 Jul - 19:00pm | |
| Macbeth | Wed 08 Jul - 18:30pm | |
| Jeeves & Wooster | Fri 10 Jul - 18:30pm | |
| The Comedy of Errors | Sat 11 Jul - 19:00pm | |
| Jeeves & Wooster | Sat 11 Jul - 19:00pm | |
| Jeeves & Wooster | Sun 12 Jul - 18:00pm | |
| Kaspar: Prince of Cats | Thu 16 Jul - 16:30pm | |
| Around the World in 80 Days | Thu 16 Jul - 19:00pm | |
| Twelfth Night | Sat 18 Jul - 19:00pm | |
| Kaspar: Prince of Cats | Sun 19 Jul - 11:30am | |
| Around the World in 80 Days | Sun 19 Jul - 14:30pm | |
| The Iliad or The Ghost of Achilles | Tue 21 Jul - 18:00pm | |
| The Pirates of Penzance | Tue 21 Jul - 18:30pm | |
| The Iliad or The Ghost of Achilles | Wed 22 Jul - 18:00pm | |
| The (almost) Complete History of Britain | Fri 24 Jul - 19:00pm | |
| The (almost) Complete History of Britain | Sat 25 Jul - 19:00pm | |
| Much Ado About Nothing | Tue 28 Jul - 19:00pm | |
| Much Ado About Nothing | Wed 29 Jul - 18:30pm | |
| Much Ado About Nothing | Thu 30 Jul - 18:30pm | |
| The Wizard of Oz | Sun 02 Aug - 14:30pm | |
| The Wizard of Oz | Mon 03 Aug - 18:30pm | |
| Immersion: The Jungle Book | Thu 06 Aug - 18:30pm | |
| A Midsummer Night's Dream | Tue 11 Aug - 19:00pm | |
| Treasure Island | Wed 12 Aug - 18:30pm | |
| Treasure Island | Sat 15 Aug - 18:30pm | |
| King Arthur and the Holy Fail | Sun 16 Aug - 18:30pm | |
| A Midsummer Night's Dream | Tue 18 Aug - 18:30pm | |
| The Tales of Peter Rabbit | Wed 19 Aug - 18:00pm | |
| A Midsummer Night's Dream | Wed 19 Aug - 18:30pm | |
| King Arthur and the Holy Fail | Wed 19 Aug - 18:30pm | |
| The Sword in the Stone | Thu 20 Aug - 16:00pm | |
| The Sword in the Stone | Fri 21 Aug - 16:00pm | |
| The Pickwick Papers | Fri 21 Aug - 18:30pm | |
| The Sword in the Stone | Sat 22 Aug - 16:00pm | |
| Romeo & Juliet | Tue 25 Aug - 18:30pm | |
| Twelfth Night | Wed 26 Aug - 18:30pm | |
| Twelfth Night | Thu 27 Aug - 19:00pm | |
| The Pirates of Penzance | Thu 03 Sep - 19:00pm |