An open air festival featuring theatre, children's shows, comedy, music and cinema opens its gates at one of Kent's most picturesque settings this weekend. Here's what's on offer this summer.

The annual open-air Hever Festival marks its 35th anniversary this year, bringing open air theatre to the picturesque childhood home of Anne Boleyn - Hever Castle - from Friday, May 25 to Sunday, August 26.

Audiences can relax with picnics in the stunning setting as they enjoy highlights including a musical adventure based on HG Wells’ classic novel The Time Machine, Squashbox Theatre’s mix of puppetry, natural history and comedy cabaret The Sea Show and a season of Cinema Under The Stars.

After the death of festival founder Ron Palmer last year, Kent-based Ailsa Molyneux is the new director. She said: "It's a real thrill to be part of this very special summer festival. We’re delighted to welcome back some old favourites as well as introduce some new and exciting events to our audiences. There will undoubtedly be something for all tastes.”

MUSIC

Vintage vocal trio the Bailey Dolls will be singing classics from the 1930s and 40s from such favourites as Vera Lynn and Glenn Miller - and the audience are encouraged to wear their best vintage clothes for the nostalgic evening on Sunday, July 29.

Ronnie Scott’s All Stars and Ray Gelato and Claire Martin celebrate some of the all-time jazz greats with two evenings of music and song on Saturday, June 2 and Sunday, August 19, while a tribute to superstar George Michael, Fastlove, with chart-topping anthems from the Wham days through the 90s, will be staged on Sunday, August 25.

Opera Anywhere perform two Gilbert and Sullivan comic operas, The Mikado and Patience on Saturday, August 11 and Sunday, August 12, and Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance Marches are among the patriotic favourites to be performed by The Brandenburg Sinfonia in the Last Night of the Hever Proms, with the audience invited to form a fun flash mob choir for The Humming Chorus from Puccini’s Madame Butterfly. You don’t need to able to read music to participate, but to get involved email the Sinfonia’s artistic director Bob Porter at bob@brandenburg.org.uk.

Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro and Rossini’s The Barber of Seville will be performed by leading touring outdoor opera company, Opera Brava - celebrating their 30th anniversary this year - on Friday, August 3 and Saturday, August 4. An array of tribute acts include the Johnny Cash Roadshow, The Magic of Motown, and Arrival – The Hits of ABBA.

THEATRE

Kent comedians Mark Steel and Tom Allen showcase their topical humour on Wednesday, July 5 and Friday, June 1, while new this year is

a completely improvised musical performed by all-female troupe, Waiting For The Call, Notflix featuring a live band on Saturday, May 26.

An Audience With renowned historian David Starkey, who has a long association with Hever Castle, is also new this year. His talk Henry VIII: The First Brexiteer complements the Tudor exhibition he has guest-curated which opens in the newly restored Long Gallery in the castle later this year.

Bromley Little Theatre return with George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion, on Friday, July 27 and Saturday, July 28 while Patrick Barlow’s Olivier Award-winning comedy of Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps sees five actors playing 150 roles on Friday, August 17 and Saturday, August 18. And on Saturday, July 21, HG Wells’ The Time Machine will be staged.

FAMILIES

There's a host of entertainment on offer for visitors with little ones. Tall Stories’ musical adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Sheffler’s much-loved children’s picture book The Snail and the Whale will be staged on Tuesday, August 2 and Immersion Theatre bring J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan on Thursday, June 2.

Moon on a Stick have some summer panto with their production of Little Red Riding Hood while musical comedian Jay Foreman performs his selection of charmingly sick songs, stories and poems in Disgusting Songs for Revolting Children on Thursday, August 23.

DETAILS

To book tickets, visit heverfestival.co.uk or call the box office during office hours on 01732 866114.

FESTIVAL FACTFILE

* 17,420 afternoon teas have been served

* 73,463 bottles of fizz have been popped

* 10,115 Union Jacks flags have been waved during the Last Night of the Hever Proms

* Six ducks have walked across the stage mid-performance