What's On 2024

Keep an eye on this page for all Festival event announcements and updates.

Tandem Outdoor Arena

A host of spectacular, world-class entertainment comes to the Tandem Outdoor Arena - the main stage at this year's festival. Read on to find out more about the headline programme.

Manford's Comedy Club with Paul Sinha

Sat 22 June | 8pm | £12+

Guaranteed laugh-out-loud moments from start to finish, this really is a night not to be missed.


Symphonic Ibiza

Sun 23 June | 8pm | £15+

Experience a party like no other. Think Party in the Park, picnic blankets and dancing the night away, as Festival on The Close hosts Symphonic Ibiza.


SHOWSTOPPER! The Improvised Musical

Mon 24 June | 8pm | £12+

Join us this summer for spontaneous musical comedy at its absolute finest - direct from London's West End.


STOMP: Student Stompers

Tue 25 June | 6pm | £8+

A memorable performance as members of the world-famous percussion-dance-theatre sensation Stomp perform live with over 100 local school students.


Flawless

Tue 25 June | 8pm | £12+

The Stars of Britain's Got Talent & Hit Movie- Street Dance 3D - Flawless, are one of the premier dance collectives in the world with an incredible portfolio. 


Hometown Glory: A Tribute to Adele

Wed 26 June | 8pm | £10+

Natalie Black, together with her sensational live band, are the ultimate tribute to Adele with their stunning replica show that has been performed around the world



Elsewhere At The Festival

Alongside the main stage programme, events take place at other atmospheric venues across the historic Rugby School campus, including Macready Theatre and Temple Speech Room.

Purcell’s Te Deum with Canzona Baroque

Tue 25 June | 4:45pm | £8+

Temple Speech Room

Acclaimed baroque ensemble Canzona, will appear alongside The Rugby Choristers for a performance of Purcell’s Te Deum. 


Apple of My Eye

Tue 25 June | 7pm | £10

Macready Theatre

A one-man musical: the story of the life of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs; A divisive character, deemed a genius by some and hated by others.


In Conversation with Sir Gregory Doran: My Shakespeare

Tue 25 June | 6pm | £8

Macready Theatre

Greg Doran, who has been described as “one of the supreme Shakespeare directors of our era”,  charts his personal and professional journey through Shakespeare's First Folio.


Student Performances At The Festival

The Festival On The Close is proud to give students an opportunity to perform alongside world-class artists. This programme is made up of student performances and student-led work.

3 Couples, 2 Breakups, 1 Barbie and The Berlin Wall

Sun 23 June | 6pm | FREE

Macready Theatre

Eight teenagers (and a Barbie doll) invite you to a joyfully absurd play about love, love, love in all its weird and wonderful forms. 


West End to Broadway

Mon 24 June | 6pm | FREE

Macready Theatre hosts the talented Rugby School student cast in their showcase of wonderful musical theatre.


Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Lemons

Tue 25 June | 4:45pm | FREE

Macready Theatre Armoury

Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons imagines a world where we're forced to say less


The Most Happy

Wed 26 June | 4:45pm | FREE

Macready Theatre

'A fun and thought-provoking retelling of the story of Anne Boleyn'. But the question is, who gets to tell Anne Boleyn's story? !


© Festival on The Close 2024.