There are numerous advantages to living in Guildford, with the amount of culture on offer across the town being high up on the list. The fact that it is a convenient commuter location to London is also a big part of the reason why many people move to the area, allowing them to work in the capital without having to live there.
It also means that jumping on the train in order to head into the West End and see a show or two is easy enough, but wouldn’t it be nice for the shows to come to you? That is precisely what Musicals Under the Stars is looking to do, so here’s all you need to know about it.
What Is Musicals Under the Stars?
If you want to talk about something that ‘does what it says on the tin’, Musicals Under the Stars may well be the quintessential example. This August, the stars of the West End will descend on Guildford in order to give people an evening that they’ll never forget. Names like Kerry Ellis, Michael Auger, Emily-Mae Walker and Nadim Naaman will arrive in the town to perform songs and numbers from shows that they have appeared in in the past and may also be appearing in at the time of the concert, giving you a real West End experience.
Taking place at Loseley Park, you will get to experience the power and the drama of some of the capital’s most celebrated musicals, all performed by a star-studded cast of performers that know just what it takes to tread the boards in the West End. From musicals like Les Misérables and Wicked through to shows such as Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and The Phantom of the Opera, the cast will perform things that you know and love in a backdrop like nothing you will ever have experienced before, complete with a firework display to end the night.
About Loseley Park
Situated within 1,400 acres of rolling countryside, Loseley House is one of the crown jewels of Surrey, which is a mere three miles or so south of Guildford. The Park itself features gardens that you can visit throughout the summer months in order to experience the peace and tranquility of the area, whilst Loseley House is also open between May and July for visitors. Because of the size of the location, there are numerous shows and exhibitions that take place there throughout the year, some of which you might be slightly more interested in experiencing than others, depending on personal preference.
The backdrop of the Park is what you will get to experience during the Musicals Under the Stars show, giving you a chance to see exactly what Loseley Park has to offer alongside the amazing sights and sounds of some of the best musical numbers ever written. If you’ve heard of Loseley Park but never visited before, this might just be the combination to get you to head along in order to enjoy the rolling hills and open greenery of one of Surrey’s best locations. Add in the fact that the House will be there for you to look at, even if not visit, and it’s well worth your time.
An Open-Air Experience Like No Other
Make no mistake, this is the chance to get out in Guildford and experience some of the best musical numbers you are ever likely to hear, performed by the professionals who belt them out on a regular basis on the stages of the West End theatres. The Park is transformed into an outdoor stage with enchanting aspects, promising festival-quality lighting and elegant seating areas so that you can feel as though you’re in a theatre that has had the roof removed. The experience is an immersive one, in which the atmosphere of the music will feel entirely magical to those that get to enjoy it.
Not only can you see the stars performing the songs from the musicals that you know and love, but you can do so whilst enjoying an alcoholic drink or two from the bars that are installed on-site especially for the occasion. Add in the fact that you can also enjoy some gourmet food and you can see why this is one of the most popular of experiences offered in Guildford, welcoming in people from all over Surrey as well as further afield. It is when the West End comes to the area, promising power and drama that is unlike anything else you will have seen outside of the capital’s theatres.
All Topped Off with a Firework Display
As if the promise of hearing stars from the West End performing numerous different musical numbers isn’t enough, you can also look forward to the culmination of the evening. As the finale draws closer, a spectacular firework display will light up the sky above Surrey, choreographed in order to perfectly match the soaring crescendos of the songs being performed on stage. If you’re a musical lover, then this is the must-see event of the season, promising an evening of world-class entertainment that lasts for around three and a half hours from start to finish.
If you’re in the VIP area, then there isn’t much that you need to worry about, given that your seating will be provided. If you’re not, you might want to think about taking along a picnic blanket or a fold-out chair to keep you comfortable. The grounds will be open from 5.30pm for you to get in and enjoy some food and drink from the vendors. The show starts at about 7pm, lasting through until around 11.30pm, with an interval taking place to give patrons the chance to get a drink, a bite to eat and the opportunity for a comfort break. You can take your own food, but not any alcoholic drinks, which must be bought on-site.