Open-air entertainment is a feature of any British summer, and at Knebworth House there are two theatre treats coming up for fans of Shakespeare – and swashbuckling drama.

The outdoor experts at Illyria Open-Air Touring Theatre opened their summer season at the famous stately home last week with The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, a family show featuring magic effects designed by the world famous illusionist Paul Daniels.

The sunken lawn in front of Knebworth House will provide an enchanting setting for two more plays in the weeks ahead, with audiences invited to bring a picnic and rug or low-backed seating.

Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew will be in the spotlight next Thursday, August 6.

Sparks are guaranteed to fly in this rumbustious battle-of-the-sexes comedy where nobody is exactly who they appear to be.

This lighthearted comedy is full of witty banter, deception, disguises, and cases of mistaken identity.

Everyone wants to marry mild-mannered Bianca. No-one wants to marry her acid-tongued older sister Kate. Their father won’t let anyone marry Bianca until a husband can be found for Kate – but no-one knows anyone mad enough to take her on. Until Petruchio comes to town…

The following Thursday, August 13, it’s time for The Three Musketeers to step up for an evening of swashbuckling thrills and dazzling swordplay. Young D’Artagnan is desperate to join Athos, Porthos and Aramis as an elite musketeer of the King’s Guard.

To prove himself he plunges headlong into a thrilling adventure to restore the Queen’s honour, survive the machinations of scheming Cardinal Richelieu, race the clock to save the hapless Mme Bonancieux and cross swords with the deadly Milady de Winter.

Set against a sweeping panorama of 17th century France at war, this production is a whirlwind of excitement, broad comedy and ingenious story-telling.

Tickets for both productions are now on sale via the Knebworth House website.

Tickets are £9.50 for children aged three to 16, £13.50 for adults, and a family ticket for two adults and two children is £40. Gates open each evening at 6pm and the performances start at around 7pm.

Refreshments are available, but Knebworth and House facilities are not available during the evening. Knebworth House & Park facilities are closed during the evening.

There are no postcards or emails involved with this free and easy competition – all you have to do is FOLLOW Knebworth House on Twitter and RETWEET their post detailing the Garden Theatre ticket offer.

Click here and the link will take you straight there – it couldn’t be easier

The team at Knebworth Park will be able to monitor the feed and pick one of the retweet messages at random as the winner of a family ticket to either next Thursday’s performance of The Taming Of The Shrew or The Three Musketeers on Thursday, August 13.

Retweets must be timed before midnight on Sunday, August 2. Terms and conditions are posted on the Knebworth House website.

Please note that this promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Twitter.