Cheltenham’s one and only annual Open-Air Theatre Festival returns to the Tuckwell Amphitheatre next month.

Kicking off the festival in style on Tuesday 16th July are the Handlebards – the world’s first cycling Theatre Company, with a bicycle-powered production of Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’.

The group goes above and beyond to do their bit for the environment, pedalling from venue to venue with all the set, props and costume necessary to perform environmentally sustainable Shakespeare across the globe.

This year the Tuckwell Amphitheatre welcomes two evenings of live music

First up are String Fever, a unique quartet performing everything from pop to classical tunes, who are returning following their popular performance in the Bacon Theatre last year.

Also returning is Cheltenham's very own Peter Gill for his ever-popular Swinging Summer Evening.

There’s also a great selection of fun family shows for kids both big and little, including Heartbreak Productions’ ‘Gangsta Granny’, Box Tree Productions’ ‘The Legend of King Arthur’ and the Cheltenham Youth Theatre with ‘Age of Winter’.

Cinema Under the Stars evenings are a particular highlight as festival goers wait for the sun to set and huddle up for an evening of alfresco cinema.

On offer will be the award-winning ‘Stan and Ollie’, the World War One documentary ‘They Shall Not Grow Old’ and the classic musical ‘Moulin Rouge’.

Finally for a truly classic evening of theatre in the historical amphitheatre there is ‘The Mikado’, by Opera Anywhere and Jenny Wren Productions with ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’.

To see the full line up of festival events visit www.bacontheatre.co.uk or head over to the Tuckwell Amphitheatre Facebook page.

For more information and to book tickets visit www.bacontheatre.co.uk or call the Bacon Theatre on 01242 258002.