Outdoor theatre at The Crichton this August

The award-winning outdoor theatre company Illyria returns to The Crichton this August with an exciting production of Pride and Prejudice.

Following the success of The Merry Wives of Windsor in July, Illyria return to Dumfries as they embark on a UK tour of Pride and Prejudice to celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th birthday in style. 

With her tongue firmly in her cheek, Jane Austen tells us “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” Mrs Bennet certainly thinks so. So when Mr Bingley – single, young, handsome, and with £5000 a year – moves into nearby Netherfield Park, she devotes all her energy to contriving for Jane, the eldest of her five daughters, to meet him during rural Hertfordshire’s whirlwind of social balls. But even Mrs Bennet draws the line at Mr Bingley’s disdainful friend Mr Darcy despite his whopping £10,000 a year. Thank heavens Lizzy, her second daughter, finds him detestable too! Or does she…? Can she see beyond his pride – and could he overcome her prejudice – to consider a possible future together?

Artistic Director Oliver Gray says; “Outdoors, with good company, good food and a glass of something bubbly is a much less formal way to enjoy theatre, and there’s something truly unifying about actors performing, and audiences listening, all under the same sky.”

Pride and Prejudice takes place on Crichton Memorial Church Lawn, whatever the weather, on Tuesday 19th August 2025.

With an esteemed reputation spanning more than thirty years, Illyria’s productions are simply unmissable. There’s no better way to celebrate British summertime.

Our outdoor theatre tickets are available now. Doors open at 6:00pm, performance 7pm – 9:30pm (approx)