AD – GIFTED EXPERIENCE
I was offered two complimentary tickets to The Arches Theatre
I absolutely love the theatre. Over the past year, I’ve been lucky enough to get to see six different theatre productions, ranging from shows in the West End to MK Theatre. This weekend we had another theatre trip, but this one was a little different than previous visits. We had an open-air theatre experience at The Arches Theatre, a quirky outdoor theatre based in Clifton Reynes, just outside of Olney.
The Arches Theatre in Cliffton Reynes used to be part of the Midland Railway’s Bedford to Northampton line which closed in 1962. The arches then stayed unused and forgotten about until David and his wife, who own the land the arches run through, decided to do something about it and open an open-air theatre. The Arches Theatre then opened its doors (well, arches) for the first time in 2018, and since then have welcomed many theatergoers every summer.
The Arches Theatre hosts a variety of different events each summer, ranging from live theatre to musical shows each year. We visited to watch ‘The Tempest’, as neither of us have watched a Shakespeare performance before and wanted to experience something new.
When arriving at The Arches Theatre you’re greated by a member of staff who directs you through a field to the on-site parking. You park in a field next to The Arches and it’s then just a short walk over to find a seat. As it’s an open-air theatre experience you take your own chairs with you, and you’re welcome to take along your own drinks and snacks. We very happily setup our camping chairs, and took a picnic and few beers with us – very different from paying theatre prices for drinks and snacks! The performance then takes place underneath The Arches, giving you a beautiful backdrop of the Buckinghamshire countryside behind.
The performance itself was fantastic, and we really enjoyed our visit to The Arches Theatre, I especially love that the sun started setting behind the arches themselves, and it looked very picturesque! I really love that it offers something different to do in Milton Keynes, and it’s a must visit for theatre lovers! They have a variety of events still taking place this year, and are open from July to September each summer.
How to Find it
You can find The Arches Theatre at Clifton Reynes, Olney, MK46 5DT – use the map below for directions. There is parking on-site where you will be directed by marshalls.
Good to Know
- The Arches Theatre is open from the end of July until the beginning of September. You can find out what’s on this season here
- Don’t forget to bring a chair with you – otherwise, you have nothing to sit on!
- You’re welcome to bring picnics and alcohol with you, just remember to take your rubbish home and BBQs aren’t permitted
- Whatever the weather the show will go on, so bring blankets, jumpers, and raincoats with you! Umbrellas aren’t permitted so no one has a blocked view
- It’s worth bringing a torch with you to find your way back to the car at the end
- Keep in mind that this is an outdoor event in a field, as well as the car parking, so dress suitably for the occasion.
