From Shakespeare’s The Comedy Of Errors at Raby Castle, near Darlington, to the colourful world of the Tour de France, there is plenty to catch on two wheels next month

THE Handlebards will be hitting the high road to Raby Castle, in Staindrop, near Darlington, to stage the first in a number of different outdoor theatre performances in its majestic walled gardens next month.

The gardens at Raby are ideal for open-air performances with its East Lawn, walled on four sides, having a gentle slope that provides a natural amphitheatre – with the castle as a romantic backdrop. Outdoor theatre audiences find it’s best to bring their own seating, rugs and cushions and a picnic.

The Handlebards will perform Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors on Friday, July 11. The troupe of four cycling players are travelling the country this summer carrying all the necessary set, props, costumes and camping equipment to perform some of Shakespeare’s greatest plays. The bikes also power various surprises and contraptions on stage, while the quartet play all the parts.

Tickets for The Comedy of Errors are available in advance from rabycastle.com and are priced at £8 per person.

The popular Illyria, an Equity Outdoor Touring Guidelines compliant company, will be back in the Raby Castle Gardens on Friday, July 18, to perform George’s Marvellous Medicine by Roald Dahl – adapted by David Wood.

Following successes with James And The Giant Peach and Fantastic Mr Fox, and a record-breaking sellout season of The Twits, Illyria returns with another Dahl classic full of larger-than-life characters, plenty to join in with, and a twist of malicious fun.

The show is suitable for all ages from five years and above, tickets are priced at £14 for adults and £12 for children and are also available now from rabycastle.com.

KING of the Mountains is a three-day music and arts festival taking place in the village of Muker, Swaledale, from July 4 to 6. It has been created to highlight the stunning beauty of the area during the Yorkshire Grand Depart and to celebrate the best in performance, culture and food from Yorkshire and beyond.

On July 5, Le Tour de France passes through Swaledale and right by the festival. With music, comedy, Yorkshire food and ales, as well as kids and family activities, not to mention Tour de Cinema, camping, cycle and car parks as well as a huge screen to watch all the action, this will be one of the best places to enjoy the weekend. The famous Buttertubs Pass can be viewed from across the site and it’s a short walk to one of the best vantage points on Stage One of the Grand Depart as the cyclists take on the highest climb of the route.

The Friday night promises to buzz with excitement in association with Tour de Cinema, with screenings of Velorama, From Trike to Bike and The Flying Scotsman.

Friday night’s live music comes from Dry the River, who have returned after taking a year out to record the follow up to 2012’s critically- acclaimed album Shallow Bed. The support act is Post War Glamour Girls, the Leeds band who have been enjoying another great year and released debut album Pink Fur.

THE York Dungeon has been getting into the cycling spirit with its newest and liveliest characters, Jesters Froome and Cavendish who will be entertaining visitors (and getting up to mischief) as the Tour de France peloton goes past.

The Grand Depart passes the doors of the dungeon on July 6, where guests and spectators will be entertained by the Jesters and receive a free souvenir flag to encourage the cyclists to pedal harder.

“The York Dungeon is getting into the full spirit of the Tour de France and is thrilled that Welcome to Yorkshire secured the Grand Depart, showcasing the highlights of the Yorkshire region. The Dungeon offers visitors the chance to experience Yorkshire’s murky past and meet legends including Eric Bloodaxe, Guy Fawkes and Dick Turpin,” says Helen Douglas, general manager at The York Dungeon.

You can experience the dungeon after hours and book onto a Dungeon Late Tour whilst staying in the city on Saturday, July 5, from 7pm. The event mashes up theatre, special effects and storytelling with wit, humour, and plenty of edge of the seat surprises.

Book at thedungeons.com/york