Every summer more than 34,500 people from throughout the UK and from overseas attend the amateur Stamford Shakespeare Company's acclaimed summer season of plays in June, July and August at Rutland Open Air Theatre, Tolethorpe Hall. The 2010 season will be the 34rd annual season.

Performances take place on an open air stage set in idyllic glade facing a 600-seat, raked, and permanently covered auditorium. The Stage newspaper named it one of England's premier alfresco theatre venues. In addition to the recognised high standard of performances the theatre is known for the quality of all its facilities, making it one of the finest open air theatres in Europe.