Muddy Stilettos


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-see-an-exhibition">SEE AN EXHIBITION</h2>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-gorgeous-nothings-flowers-at-chatsworth-derbyshire-until-5-oct"><a href="https://www.chatsworth.org/events/gorgeous-nothings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Gorgeous Nothings: Flowers at Chatsworth</a>, Derbyshire, until 5 Oct</h2>



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<p>Glorious Chatsworth House in the Peak District has a stellar summer of events ahead, and botanical-inspired exhibition&nbsp;<a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/arts-culture-things-to-do/review-the-gorgeous-nothings-flowers-at-chatsworth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Gorgeous Nothings: Flowers at Chatsworth</a>&nbsp;is a must-see. A mooch round Chatsworth House is always a treat but this beautiful, thoughtful and arresting exhibition elevates the experience no end. If you’re an anthophile (let’s face it, who doesn’t love flowers?), or keen gardener, there’s lots to love and linger over. </p>



<p>Check out the floral-themed workshops, tours and talks alongside the show – from floristry workshops to nature walks, there’s something for everyone. The exhibition&nbsp;is included with house and garden tickets (from £32).</p>



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<h1 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-family-friendly-festivals">FAMILY-FRIENDLY FESTIVALS</h1>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-robin-hood-festival-nottinghamshire-25-july-25-aug"><a href="https://visitsherwood.co.uk/home/robin-hood-festival-2025/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robin Hood Festival</a>, Nottinghamshire, 25 July-25 Aug</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/06/The-Knights-of-Nottingham-at-the-2024-Robin-Hood-Festival.-August-2024.-Credit-Mark-Powell.-1-1000x1000.jpg" alt="knights at a joust in nottingham" class="wp-image-70643"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: The Knights of Nottingham in action / by Mark Powell</figcaption></figure>



<p>This festival of forest fun is a month-long homage to Robin Hood and it&#8217;s one kids will love. Jousting displays, hand-to-hand combat demos, storytelling and music; it’s a jam-packed schedule. With comedy shows, mischievous theatrics and magic, the Medieval mayhem will be off the scale. </p>



<p>August also sees a family-friendly fantasy takeover, with mystical witchers and orcs passing on their combat skills and potion-making. Don&#8217;t miss the Sherwood Outlaws performing at the Grand Finale weekend, up until Bank Holiday Monday. The best bit? It’s all free (with a £15 car parking charge).</p>



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<h1 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-foodie-treats">FOODIE TREATS</h1>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-three-nbsp-counties-nbsp-food-amp-drink-festival-malvern-26-27-july"><a href="https://www.threecountiesfoodfestival.com">Three&nbsp;Counties&nbsp;Food &amp; Drink Festival,</a> Malvern, 26 &#8211; 27 July</h2>



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<p>Clear your diary and prep your taste buds &#8211; this festival is the highlight of the foodie calendar for every Worcs-bound foodie. Expect 160+ artisan producers, sizzling street food, bars galore and entertainment for all ages (yes, even the picky ones). </p>



<p>There’s a full menu of family entertainment, live music, and demos from the likes of Simon Rimmer, Cherish Finden,&nbsp;Jane&nbsp;Dunn of Jane&#8217;s Patisserie, <em>Masterchef </em>winner Brin Pirathapan and&nbsp;<em>Bake-Off</em>&nbsp;favourite, Nelly. Plus, don’t miss bookable sessions including Wine Tasting, Coffee Tasting, Cocktail Making and the Kid’s Cookery School for little ones. <a href="https://glosworcs.muddystilettos.co.uk/reader-treats/win-family-ticket-to-three-counties-food-drink-festival-worcestershire/">Win yourself a family ticket and chef meet n&#8217; greet here!</a></p>



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<h1 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-see-a-show">SEE A SHOW</h1>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-constant-wife-swan-theatre-royal-shakespeare-company-stratford-upon-avon-20-jun-2-aug"><u><a href="https://www.rsc.org.uk/the-constant-wife/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>The Constant Wife</em></a></u>, Swan Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-upon-Avon, 20 Jun – 2 Aug</h2>



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<p>If you’re craving theatre with bite, brilliance, and a bold heroine who rewrites the rulebook this comedy drama delivers. Rose Leslie (yes her off&nbsp;<em>Game of Thrones</em> and&nbsp;<em>Downton Abbey</em>&nbsp;fame) stars as the impeccably composed Constance – a 1920s woman with razor sharp wit, even sharper wardrobe, and a refreshingly modern take on her husband’s infidelity. </p>



<p>Directed by Tamara Harvey and penned by Laura Wade (who is one of the executive producers on the brilliant&nbsp;<em>Rivals</em>!), this clever reimagining of Somerset Maugham’s play is a cocktail of scandal, satire and seriously good jazz, with original music by Jamie Cullum.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-midnight-bell-curve-leicester-24-28-jun"><a href="https://www.curveonline.co.uk/whats-on/shows/the-midnight-bell-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>The Midnight Bell</em></a>, Curve, Leicester, 24-28 Jun</h2>



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<p>Award-winning super-choreographer Matthew Bourne and his New Adventures company have developed a genre all their own: theatrical storytelling through dance with big laughs along the way and, big bonus, it&#8217;s super accessible if you&#8217;re a ballet newbie.</p>



<p>T<em>he Midnight Bell</em>&nbsp;is inspired by the Patrick Hamilton book of the same name, and set in the seedy, boozy streets and pubs of 1930&#8217;s Soho, the stories of six interconnected characters are told in glimpses, woven throughout the show, coming together in the Midnight Bell pub. It&#8217;s certain to be a cult classic.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-mess-birmingham-hippodrome-s-patrick-studio-24-july-fri-25-july"><a href="https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/hot-mess-previews/#performances"><em>Hot Mess</em></a>, Birmingham Hippodrome’s Patrick Studio, 24 July- Fri 25 July</h2>



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<p>Catch an exciting preview of new romcom musical,&nbsp;<em>Hot Mess</em>, ahead of its spotlight at Edinburgh Fringe from 30 Jul &#8211; 25 Aug. Leading the production are acclaimed West-End stars&nbsp;Danielle Steers&nbsp;(<em>SIX The Musical, The Cher Show, Bat Out of Hell: The Musical</em>) and the winner of ITV’s addictive<em>&nbsp;Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream,</em>&nbsp;Tobias Turley. Created by the award-winning creative duo behind&nbsp;<em>42 Balloons</em> &#8211; it&#8217;s a pop-comedy musical not to be missed.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-girl-on-a-train-malvern-theatres-16-21-june"><a href="https://malvern-theatres.co.uk/event/the-girl-on-the-train-2/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=21742131779&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADnXXmK1xMF6IqXrZK3BSm6f7BdRx&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwr5_CBhBlEiwAzfwYuPTGJLkO8s2_1mvzB44uoEzb-_4DFXCo6ECVEjSfj88vDKosZzorDhoCBHgQAvD_BwE">Girl on a Train</a>, Malvern Theatres, 16 &#8211; 21 June</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/06/898-1000x1000.jpg" alt="woman looking out of a train window" class="wp-image-70560"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: Girl on a Train</figcaption></figure>



<p>Starring Laura Whitmore, this is definately one for your diary. Adapted from Paula Hawkins’ famous novel of the same name – an international phenomenon selling&nbsp;over 20 million copies worldwide – this gripping play will keep you&nbsp;guessing until the final moment. TV presenter Laura (<em>Love Island</em>,&nbsp;<em>Celebrity Juice</em>,&nbsp;<em>MTV)</em> takes the leading lady role in this brand new production, following the play’s first sell-out UK tour. <em>Tickets from £28.</em> Book your front row seat now.</p>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-outdoor-theatre">OUTDOOR THEATRE</h1>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-much-ado-about-nothing-belgrave-hall-leicester-22-july"><strong><a href="https://www.leicestermuseums.org/event-details/?id=d263eecb-dd66-4a81-8b70-2c4ddfdd708a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Much Ado About Nothing</a>, Belgrave Hall, Leicester 22 July</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/06/7.Handlebards-1000x667.jpg" alt="handlebard actors on bikes in a wood" class="wp-image-70425"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: The Handlebards</figcaption></figure>



<p>This is a bike-powered Shakespeare production like you’ve never seen before! Pedalling from venue to venue with the set, props and costumes on the back of their bikes, the fabulous HandleBards are a four-strong troupe of actors who are spending the summer bringing Shakespeare to venues across the UK.</p>



<p>Join the troupe at&nbsp;Belgrave Hall&nbsp;in Leicester&nbsp;on&nbsp;22 July&nbsp;for a bicycle-powered production of&nbsp;<em>Much Ado About Nothing&nbsp;</em>in usual HandleBards style – expect energy, chaos and giggles. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-open-air-theatre-tolethorpe-hall-stamford-june-aug"><strong><a href="https://tolethorpe.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Open Air Theatre,</a> Tolethorpe Hall, Stamford</strong>, June &#8211; Aug</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/06/3.The-Taming-of-the-Shew-Tolethorpe-1000x750.jpg" alt="actors in a show in the West Midlands" class="wp-image-70421"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo credit: Sonara Studios</figcaption></figure>



<p>Enjoy a picnic in the manicured grounds of this stunning Manor House before settling down to one of this season&#8217;s fabulous productions from the Stamford Shakespeare Company. </p>



<p>Running throughout the summer months, take your pick from Shakespeare&#8217;s&nbsp;<em><strong>The Taming of the Shrew</strong></em>&nbsp;(June-July), Agatha Christie&#8217;s&nbsp;<em><strong>The Mirror Crack&#8217;d</strong></em>&nbsp;(June-August), Shakespeare&#8217;s<strong>&nbsp;<em>Macbeth</em>&nbsp;</strong>(July-Aug) and Emily Brontë&#8217;s&nbsp;<em>Wuthering Heights</em>&nbsp;(July), each of which will be performed in this idyllic, wooded Notswolds setting.</p>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-catch-a-gig">CATCH A GIG</h1>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-warwick-castle-live-nbsp-harry-potter-and-the-philosopher-s-stone-in-concert-texas-pet-shop-boys-and-bryan-adams-28-31-aug"><a href="https://www.rg.live/festivals/warwick-castle-live" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warwick Castle Live</a><em>:</em>&nbsp;<em>Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone™ In Concert</em>, Texas, Pet Shop Boys and Bryan Adams, 28 – 31 Aug</h2>



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<p>A series of incredible shows will be staged against the stunning medieval backdrop of one of the country’s most iconic settings on the last weekend of August. Relive the magic of&nbsp;<strong><em>Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone™ In Concert</em></strong><em>&nbsp;</em>on<em>&nbsp;</em><strong>31 Aug</strong><em>&nbsp;</em>in high-def on a 40-ft screen to John Williams’ epic score performed live<em>,&nbsp;</em>featuring the London Contemporary Orchestra. </p>



<p>Internationally acclaimed artists headlining at the venue are: <strong>Bryan Adams&nbsp;and Melanie C,&nbsp;Aug 28;Texas, 29 August; and Pet Shop Boys,&nbsp;30 Aug</strong>. Warwick Castle, set within 64 acres of beautiful grounds is a gorgeous place to spend the day, and well worth a visit.</p>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-music-lovers">MUSIC LOVERS</h1>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-buxton-international-festival-buxton-derbyshire-10-27-july"><a href="https://buxtonfestival.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buxton International Festival</a>, Buxton, Derbyshire, 10 – 27 July</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2025/06/Buxton-Opera-House-festival-time.-Credit-Buxton-International-Festival-1000x667.jpg" alt="buston opera house" class="wp-image-70287"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: Buxton International Festival</figcaption></figure>



<p>Culture lovers flock from all over the world to this cool festival of opera, jazz and books. With 160+ events, including nine world-class operas, classical music concerts and jazz gigs from the likes of Clare Teal and Rumer, this year’s line-up sounds pretty darn good. </p>



<p>Big literary names include Sarah Rainsford, Rev Richard Coles, Jeremy Hunt and Simon Jenkins. Opera buff? Look out for the three French operas: Ambroise Thomas’ <em>Hamlet</em>; Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s <em>Orphée with Vache Baroque</em> and Francis Poulenc’s <em>La Voix Humaine</em>.<em> Tickets from £27–£32.</em></p>



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<h1 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fabulous-films">FABULOUS FILMS</h1>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-empire-s-old-clothes-attenborough-arts-centre-leicester-until-29-june"><strong><a href="https://attenborougharts.com/whats-on/the-empires-old-clothes-by-whatsthebigmistry/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Empire’s Old Clothes</a>, Attenborough Arts Centre, Leicester, until 29 June</strong></h2>



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<p>Make a date with the Attenborough Arts Centre to catch this short film by multidisciplinary artist Priya Mistry, challenging the myths and propaganda around the British Empire. This thought-provoking arthouse film delves deep into influences and politics from Indian and Afro-Futurism, queer culture and experiences of ableism and racism in post-Empire Brexit-Britain.</p>



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<h1 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rave-it-up-baby">RAVE IT UP, BABY!</h1>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-classic-ibiza-burghley-house-stamford-26-july"><strong><a href="https://www.classicibiza.co.uk/burghley" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Classic Ibiza</a>, Burghley House, Stamford, 26 July</strong></h2>



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<p>Glow sticks at the ready party people! &#8216;Cardboard box&#8217; the night away to Classic Ibiza anthems under the stars, perfect for those of us old skool ravers who can no longer justify a weekend partying in the gorgeous Balearic Isle (big sigh!). Featuring a collection of&nbsp;classic Ibiza&nbsp;anthems played by the Urban Soul Orchestra, a live DJ &amp; internationally renowned vocalists, all in the beautiful surroundings of this stately home.</p>


Summer culture guide: the must-visit Midlands events worth travelling for

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