Outdoor Theatre FAQs

As these are family picnic concerts you are welcome to bring a moderate amount of alcohol with you, which we have defined as four cans of beer or cider, or 75cl of wine (in a bag or plastic bottle as no glass is permitted) or four cans of combined spirit and mixer per adult. Please do not bring any excess alcohol to the site as you will be asked to dispose of it before entering or will be refused admission.

Please note that glass of any kind is not allowed, including bottles of wine and beer. If you are bringing a bottle of wine, please decant this into a plastic container. All drinks must be in plastic or cans and please use plastic to drink from as opposed to glass that can easily break.

Home-mixed spirits and mixers are not permitted – all bottles and cans must be sealed and unopened. Soft drinks must also be in sealed containers.

Our security staff reserve the right to ask you to empty your pockets should they suspect you are carrying a prohibited item.

A range of food and drink will be available at the concerts. You are also welcome to bring a picnic with you and your own drinks as long as they are within our allowance. Challenge 25 will be in operation so if you’re lucky enough to look under age 25, please ensure you bring proof of age ID with you. Please help us to keep the site clean by using the bins provided to dispose of your used picnics/food wrapper.

Please note: The catering and bar units are card only and will not be accepting cash.

Soft drinks must be in sealed containers.

The running time for the performance is 2 hours including a 15 minute interval.

Gates open 1 hour before the performance and garden entry is included in your ticket

You can buy tickets from Dukes Theatre Company website here. Tickets will not be available at our Visitor Centre.

Seating is not provided but you are able to bring your own garden, camping chairs or blankets. People on blankets will be advised to sit in the first 5 metres in front of the stage as the audience area is on a flat level throughout.

We welcome guests of all abilities and levels of mobility. For wheelchair and mobility scooter users and those with limited mobility, Trentham is all on one level with low ramped access to most facilities. There will be a lift in operation for assistance onto the Church Flats area.

Dukes also offers a free companion ticket with every accessible purchase. Please email info@thedukestheatrecompany.co.uk with name, email address, venue, date and time of performance required.

Picnicking is encouraged before and during the performance, and at the interval. There is also a bar offering refreshments and snacks, plus plenty of restaurants onsite for pre-show dinners.

Please be prepared for performances to continue in all eventualities, with the exception of persistent rain and/or wind.

We can only admit assistance dogs to our performances due to capacity in the arena.

Yes, we recommend suitability for children 5+.