Hundreds enjoy Whitchurch Open Air Theatre 2026 event

The three-day Whitchurch Open Air Theatre 2026 event welcomed 600 attendees to the watermeadow at Fulling Mill, set against the backdrop of the River Test SSSI.

The weekend showcased performances from three rural touring theatre companies: Fladam Theatre’s Astro Norma and the Cosmic Piano, Tit for Tat Circus’s Books!, and Adventure Arts’ The Wizard and The Mechanic.

Adventure Arts’ The Wizard and The Mechanic was performed during the three-day event. (Image: Whitchurch Conservation Group)

The shows drew audiences into a world of storytelling, circus skills and outdoor adventure.

The theatre event also marked the National Year of Reading 2026, a major UK-wide initiative led by the Department for Education and the National Literacy Trust to reverse the decline in reading for pleasure.

A series of community-made engagement activities took place, including Junk Jodie’s creative bookmark-making sessions.

A notable feature was the Bridge of Books, created entirely by children, which spanned the River Test.

This installation became one of the standout visual moments of the weekend, highlighting the power of reading and imagination.

A trailer capturing the weekend's atmosphere, produced by filmmaker Jake Hickman, has been released, showcasing the performances, the River Test SSSI setting and the community spirit that defines Whitchurch Open Air Theatre.

The trailer can be viewed by going to youtube.com/watch?v=GaPtoWDf6cA.