CHESTER'S Storyhouse theatre is set to fill Grosvenor Park with an unmissable programme of performances, events and activities this summer.

The 'Great Midsummer Spectacular' will use the atmospheric surroundings of the Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre village for a host of events including comedy, music, children's theatre and a murder mystery evening.

There will also be events around Chester Disability Pride and an open mic night.

Running from July 2 to August 27, the Spectacular hopes to bring a festival feel and complement the annual open air theatre season which this year features production of A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Great Gatsby.

The Great Midsummer Spectacular opens on Sunday, July 2 with a return to the park for popular Chester duo Me + Deboe.

Last season the talented pair created original music for Grosvenor Park’s Romeo and Juliet. Expect witty lyrics and sumptuous vocal harmonies when they perform a set amid the atmospheric, fairylight surroundings of the open-air theatre tepee.

The tepee bar is also playing host to a series of Comedy Nights, hosted by Danny McLoughlin who brings his sharp wit, likeable persona and strong stage presence to Grosvenor Park.

Hatty Preston and Louise young will feature on the second comedy evening on Saturday, July 15, with Justin Moorhouse and Adam Staunton taking to the stage on Sunday, July 23.

Mai 68 Records continues its association with Storyhouse. The Chester-based independent record label and gig promoter programmed last summer’s music sessions in the park as well as co-producing the popular Storyhouse Sessions at Hunter Street.

Now it returns to stage Storyhouse Summer Sessions in the tepee on Friday, July 7.

Chester Disability Pride Parade will return for its third year as part of the annual Kaleidoscope Festival on Monday, July 10, with the route starting at Chester Town Hall and ending at Grosvenor Park where there will be a performance from actor and disability activist Paul Wilshaw, poetry, choir and brass band performances, and pop-up workshops and activities.

Dee Sign Choir takes over the tepee at teatime on Sunday, July 16. Based in Chester, Dee Sign Choir was established in 1997 as one of the UK’s original signing choirs and has been entertaining and enthralling audiences ever since.

And on Saturday, July 22 it’s the turn of the Port Sunlight Sea Dogs to entertain. Hoist the mainsail and listen to shanties and wistful ballads which tell of a sailor’s hard life, of heroes and villains, of distant ports and cruel seas.

The August programme opens with City of Curses: A Murder Mystery Trial. The event on Sunday, August 6.

Chester Ukes appear in the tepee on Sunday, August 13. The ‘Ukes’ bring pazazz and panache to any event, with a wide and lively repertoire of songs delivered with that distinctive ukulele sound.

Then on Saturday, August 19, there is an Open Mic night. Catch some talented performers as they step up to the microphone in the tepee bar as part of 2023 Pride weekend celebrations.

Goofus Theatre then visit the park from Friday, August 25 to Sunday, August 27. The Knutsford-based theatre company for children mix singing, music, actors, acrobats, clowning and puppets into one irresistible storytelling style.

Storyhouse Producer Helen Redcliffe says: "We’ve got a fantastic summer of entertainment planned for Grosvenor Park this season.

"Last year was the first time we had staged a whole programme of events around our main shows, and it was really well received by our audiences.

"We’re building on that this year in our Great Midsummer Spectacular with its mixture of returning favourites and new performers, and a programme which embraces music, comedy and theatre along with celebrations for both Chester Disability Pride and the city’s main Pride weekend too.

"And with the magical A Midsummer Night’s Dream and dazzling The Great Gatsby thrilling audiences in the open-air theatre, it should be quite a summer."

Further information is available at www.storyhouse.com.