Awful Auntie

Awful Auntie by David Walliams

Open-air theatre at the American Museum & Gardens

AGE 7+ | RUNNING TIME: 2 Hours

The new playground at the Saxby Hall Orphanage is finally complete, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you. The orphanage was founded by Stella Saxby, who some of you may remember. Her parents were killed in a car crash in 1933, leaving her an orphan, all alone with her Awful Auntie. And when we say awful, we mean awful. Aunt Alberta and her best friend Wagner, a vicious Bavarian owl, tried everything they could to torment Stella into signing over the deed to Saxby Hall. But Stella, with the help of her friend Soot (the ghost of a chimney sweep, but friends come in all shapes and sizes, don’t they?) fought off Aunt Alberta, saved Saxby Hall, and gifted the beautiful Saxby Hall to be used as an orphanage.

Awful Auntie  by David Walliams, adapted for the outdoor stage by Heartbreak Productions, is a truly thrilling tale. Owls, ghosts, chases, escapes, motorcycle rides, and tiddlywinks all fill Stella’s days as she evades her menacing Aunt and saves the family home. So, please join us at the dedication of the new playground at Saxby Hall (at the American Museum & Gardens) and hear how it all came about. Make sure you bring a blanket or chair to sit on, weather-appropriate gear, and a picnic, as the tale could take some time to tell, and storytelling can be hungry work!

Performed by Heartbreak Productions outdoors in the Amphitheatre at the American Museum & Gardens, so check the weather, dress appropriately, and bring a picnic, or order one of the American Museum & Gardens fabulous hampers.

Picnic Hampers

Order a delicious picnic hamper to savour while you enjoy Heartbreak Productions’ adaptation of Awful Auntie. There are two hamper options and a children's hamper to choose from which can be easily added to your order when purchasing tickets. Sales end at 11pm on 20 July, so order now while stocks last!

*Each hamper is a portion for 2 people at a cost of £32 (or £40 with additional beverage each). Each child Hamper is a portion for 1 child at a cost of £5.

Chicken, Cured Meats and Cheese Salad Hamper £32.00

(£40.00 with individual bottles each of red/white wine 187ml, or Brooklyn beer 33ml)

Cured meats. Buttermilk chicken pieces. Cheeses. Potato salad. Tomato and watermelon salad. Tortilla chips and dips. Artisan bread. Red, white and blue cheesecake slice. Mixed berries.

Lentil, Corn and Red Pepper Salad Hamper £32.00

(£40.00 with individual bottles each of red/white wine 187ml, or Brooklyn beer 33ml)

Lentil, pepper, mint and feta salad. Corn and red pepper tarts. Tomato and watermelon salad. Potato salad. Cheeses. Tortilla chips and dips. Artisan bread. Red, white and blue cheesecake slice. Mixed berries.

Children's Hamper £5.00

Pom Bears. Half sandwich. Fruit. Small cookie. Carton drink.

Things you need to know… 

Access to the grounds will be available from 5:30pm when doors open.

The performance begins at 7pm.

Food and beverage options will be available for purchase and you are welcome to bring your own picnics.

Picnic Hampers – ordering online is essential.

Please note that tickets to the event only give access to the theatre performance as the Museum and Gardens will be closed at 5pm. You are welcome to visit the Museum and Gardens prior to their closure at 5pm, but please note this would require a separate ticket and all guests will need to exit before 5pm and access to the grounds for the theatre performance will not open until 5:30pm.

If we need to cancel for any reason, we’ll be in touch.

If you have any questions, please contact us via email to [email protected] or by telephone on +44 (0)1225 460503.

Host or Publisher American Museum & Gardens