Autumn Treasure Hunt with Percy the Park Keeper at Chiswick House & Gardens 14 October to 14 November 2021

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Attractions

Published on Tuesday, 05 October 2021 13:50

Last Updated on 05 October 2021

Monica Costa

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From 14^th October 2021, Chiswick House & Gardens open its doors to families with a family friendly experience and a live theatrical treasure hunt with Percy the Park Keeper as children and adults alike help him get his animal friends ready for winter.  Forest school meets puppetry, world-class theatrical storytelling and clue-based adventure in this non-stop 60-minute experience, designed especially for Chiswick House and Gardens. The hunt will play throughout half term and up to 14 November. 

Directed by Barney McElholm (Assistant Director Henry VI & Richard III at Shakespeare’s Globe directed by Sean Holmes and Ilinca Radulian, 1984 Histrionic Productions) the production is designed by Tina Torbey with puppets created by Marc Parrett for Grandly Strange (“Squirrel” at The Egg, Bath and “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe at Leeds Playhouse).

The hunt follows a simple storyline: Percy The Park Keeper works hard looking after the park and his animal friends who live there. But Percy still likes to find time for some fun and games. And, of course, in Percy’s Park, there’s always time for fun.

Visitors are advised to wear wellies or other suitable footwear and outdoor clothing and get ready for a walk through the gardens with Park Keeper Percy while helping him solve the clues. Be warned! Children may get dirty whilst participating. This is a good thing! After years of pandemic lockdown, it’s about time for families to enjoy the outdoor to the fullest. 

This is a theatrical live experience in the great British outdoors and is designed to go ahead in all weathers. Don’t forget to wear suitable footwear and outdoor clothing as children may get dirty whilst participating.

An alfresco café serving refreshments will be open before and after the Treasure Hunt.

Percy the Park Keeper  is a hugely popular series of books by Nick Butterworth, a multi-award-winning British writer and illustrator of children’s books I had the honour to interview a few years ago, whose books have been published in 30 languages worldwide, with international sales in the region of 15 million. Percy The Park Keeper has sold over 9 million copies and encouraged generations of children, especially in schools, to take an interest in, and care for, the natural world around them. With the ‘Percy’ books making it onto the reading list for the national curriculum, few children will not have encountered the genial Park Keeper. Nick’s varied career has also included working as a graphic designer, presenter on television, carpenter, signwriter, printer and college lecturer in graphics and illustration. Nick and his wife Annette (also a writer) have been married for 40 years and have two grown up children, Ben and Amanda, and three grandchildren. In 2009, Nick, Ben and Annette Butterworth formed Snapper Productions, a company set up to produce an animated preschool series based on Nick’s books about an alien called Q Pootle 5. The series is one of the top-rated shows on BBC CBeebies and is now on air, worldwide, in a hundred countries.

Tickets from www.ExperienceTheOutdoors.co.uk

Location: 

Chiswick House & Gardens

Burlington Lane, Chiswick

London W4 2RP

 

Performance Schedule

Thursday 14 October to Sunday 14 November

Wednesdays and Thursdays – From 2pm to 4.30pm

Friday to Sunday – From 10am

Half Term Holiday: Monday 25 to Friday 29 October – 10am to 4.30pm daily

 

Ticket Prices

Peak (weekends and performances 25 to 29 October)

Adult £25, Child £20, Family Ticket £85

Off Peak (weekdays excluding performances 25 to 29 October)

Adult £20, Child £15, Family Ticket £60

Under 2’s free of charge – Booking essential

Child’s ticket 2 years +

Concessions and Rates

• Under 2’s go free (Ticket still required)
• Senior Citizens & Job Seekers – 10% off (adult and child tickets)