Outdoor theatre returns to park

The Importance of Being Earnest is transported to the time of the Great Depression

Heartbreak Productions, a Leamington-based touring company that produces outdoor theatre across the UK, will be mounting the first stage adaptation of the hugely successful novel. Their production of Walliams’s Mr Stink in 2015 played to sold-out audiences across the UK, in all types of weather, and even Walliams himself attended a performance, praising it afterwards.

Ratburger will be presented in Jephson Gardens on Wednesday June 1 and Thursday June 2 at 6.30pm. The play tells the story of a young girl desperate to break away from her horrible mother, and set upon by a sinister neighbour who is determined to have her pet rat for his burger shop.

Heartbreak Productions chief executive Maddy Kerr, said: “We are thrilled that David Walliams has agreed for us to tour the theatrical premiere of Ratburger for 2016 – it’s a fitting tribute to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Heartbreak’s and we hope that first time audiences from Mr Stink will return for another exhilarating experience of Walliams’ mischievous humour and uplifting storytelling.”

Heartbreak will also perform Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and Murder on the Terrace, an interactive murder mystery. But audiences are warned not to expect traditional stagings of these classics, as Heartbreak’s signature style is to frame traditional pieces in alternative settings.

The Importance of Being Earnest, which will be performed in Jephson Gardens on Saturday June 4 and Sunday june 5 at 7.30pm, will be moved forward to the eve of the Great Depression. The Tempest, performed on Wednesday June 8 and Thursday June at 7.30pm, will be set at a pagan stone circle, and performed by modern-day druids.

Murder on the Terrace, taking place on Wednesday June 15 and Thursday June 16, is a light-hearted interactive murder mystery written by Heartbreak’s David Kendall-Kirby.

Premium tickets cost £18 and include a chair under a gazebo, whilst standard tickets , costing £15, are for those happy to bring their own seating and sit the open air. Visit www,heartbreakproductions.co.uk to book.