Award-winning theatre company Red Rose Chain opens its much-loved outdoor season, Theatre in the Forest at Sutton Hoo, with Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, now playing until 22 August 2026. Performances run from Tuesdays to Saturdays.
The much-loved mistaken-identity comedy features puppetry, Red Rose Chain’s core cast, and a distinctive style that blends intergenerational storytelling and accessibility while staying true to Shakespeare’s text. Theatre in the Forest is a national favourite for its imaginative reinterpretations of Shakespeare, making his plays accessible and fun for audiences of all ages.
Tickets are available at https://www.redrosechain.com/twelfthnight/details or by calling Red Rose Chain on 01473 603388.
The opening follows Red Rose Chain’s win of the Empty Space… Peter Brook Award (in memory of Blanche Marvin) at the Critics Circle Theatre Awards, for its work presented in 2025. Co-directed by David Newborn and Katy Latham, Twelfth Night is dedicated to the memory of Jo Carrick, Artistic Director and Founder of Red Rose Chain. The production uses her adaptation from her 2011 production and her distinctive Theatre in the Forest style. The company continues to deliver Jo’s legacy of theatre-making and celebrate her passion for the arts, local heritage, and inclusivity.
Photo credit Bill Jackson
David Newborn, Red Rose Chain Executive Producer, co-director of Twelfth Night, says: “Jo’s amazing creativity made Theatre in the Forest a key feature of summer in Suffolk. Our audiences of all ages and backgrounds have always made it clear how much it means to them. It is a real honour to be leading Jo’s team of actors, creatives and volunteers to celebrate her life. One of the themes of Twelfth Night is love and joy emerging from the pain of loss, so there really couldn’t be a more appropriate choice this year. We are all very excited to come together and bring to life Shakespeare’s words with the usual dose of Red Rose Chain magic, comedy, puppetry and songs.”
Joshua Ward, Senior Visitor Experience Officer at National Trust Sutton Hoo, says: “We’re delighted to be hosting Theatre in the Forest for another year with Red Rose Chain’s production of Twelfth Night. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate Jo Carrick’s incredible legacy than with another great summer of outdoor theatre – and it’s also a great way to experience
an evening at Sutton Hoo.”
