Hundreds attend three-day open-air theatre event by the river

The three-day Whitchurch Open Air Theatre 2026 event welcomed 600 attendees to the watermeadow at Fulling Mill, set against the backdrop of the River Test SSSI. Adventure Arts’ The Wizard and The Mechanic was performed during the three-day event. The theatre event also marked the National Year of Reading 2026, a major UK-wide initiative led by the Department for Education and the National Literacy Trust to reverse the decline in reading for pleasure. A notable feature was the Bridge of Books, created entirely by children, which spanned the River Test. A trailer capturing the weekend's atmosphere, produced by filmmaker Jake Hickman, has been released, showcasing the performances, the River Test SSSI setting and the community spirit that defines Whitchurch Open Air Theatre.