by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
directed by TOM LITTLER
When I said I would die a bachelor, I did not think I would live till I were married.
Summer 1945. To celebrate victory, four women return to the village where they passed an idyllic pre‑war summer. Unbeknownst to them, their one‑time lovers are also on their way back. As a reunion masked ball is thrown and the inept Home Guard fail to keep order, the course of true love runs anything but smooth.
The OT moves to Richmond Hill for Shakespeare’s beloved romantic comedy, featuring the ultimate on‑off couple, as sparky Beatrice and Benedick struggle to deny their mutual attraction.
OT Artistic Director Tom Littler links the stories of Love’s Labour’s Lost to Much Ado About Nothing (also known as Love’s Labour’s Won) to create a satisfying saga of love.
A co-production with Guildford Shakespeare Company.
“Tom Littler’s delightful and incisive production.” – Daily Telegraph on Twelfth Night
Two Comedies. One Summer. Endless Delight.
Save £20 (Premium Seats) / Save £10 (Regular Seats)
Experience two of Shakespeare’s most iconic comedies in summer 2026: Love’s Labour’s Lost and Much Ado About Nothing, performed within the idyllic grounds of Thomas’s College on Richmond Hill.
A package to see both shows costs just £100 for premium seats and £70 for regular seats. Book for Love’s Labour’s Lost >*Membership discounts not applicable on package pricing. Members booking seats for individual OT On the Hill performances will still enjoy applicable discounts.
Gala Fundraising Day
Join us for an exclusive day of gala performances on Thursday 13 August
Join us for a very special double-bill gala in aid of fundraising for the Orange Tree. Enjoy a matinee performance of Love Labour’s Lost, followed by a post-show talk with special guests and delicious food and drink, before returning for the evening performance of Much Ado About Nothing.
Premium Ticket Price — £85 per show, £150 for both (save £20)
Premium tickets include admission to both performances if booked together, plus access to the post-matinee talk and hospitality.
Unreserved Ticket Price — £60 per show, £100 for both (save £20)
Unreserved tickets offer the same Gala experience at a lower price.
To book, simply select your seats for both the matinee and evening performances and choose the Gala Ticket option at checkout.
Show Info
PERFORMANCE LOCATION
Please note this performance will be held at Thomas’s College, Queen’s Road, Richmond Hill, TW10 6JW. It will not be held at the Orange Tree!
PERFORMANCE TIMES
Much Ado About Nothing willl be performed in repertory with Love’s Labour’s Lost .
Mon – Sat 7.30pm
Thu & Sat 2.30pm
CONTENT ADVICE
Our content warnings are updated as a production evolves through rehearsals and previews, so please note they may change between booking a ticket and seeing the production.
GALA FUNDRAISER DAY
Thu 13 Aug, 7.30pm
OT UNDER 30 AFTERNOON
Sat 15 Aug, 2.30pm
On OT Under 30 Afternoons, enjoy a free drink and post-show talk all included with your £15 ticket.
RELAXED & DISTANCED PERFORMANCE
Wed 12 Aug, 7.30pm
AUDIO-DESCRIBED PERFORMANCE
Tue 18 Aug, 7.30pm
To book accessible seats, and for audio described and captioned, please call the box office on 020 8940 3633 (Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm) or email
box.office@orangetreetheatre.co.uk. If you’re on our Access List, you can log in and book online.
TICKET PRICES
No booking fees. Prices increase based on demand. Book early to secure your seats at the best prices.
£15 tickets for Under 30s on all seats for all performances – subject to availability
£15 access tickets – find out more
£15 tickets available for members of theatre unions and guilds
£1 tickets available through our subsidised ticket scheme – find out more
Creative Team
William Shakespeare
Writer
Tom Littler
Director
About Thomas's College - FAQs
How do I get to Thomas’s College?
Thomas’s College is on Queen’s Road, Richmond Hill, opposite the Lass o’ Richmond Hill pub.
- 20 min walk from OT / Richmond Station.
- 10 min by 371 bus from Richmond Station.
Your ticket includes a shuttle bus from, and back to the OT. Unfortunately, there is no parking available on site.
Full details about transport will be sent to ticket holders.
Will there be reserved seating?
Yes – premium seats are reserved in the first three rows. Regular seats are unreserved.
What if it rains?
No matter the weather, the performance will continue – if the rain gets too heavy for us to continue outside, the performance will move under cover, after a short break if necessary.
Can I bring a picnic?
Yes, the grounds open 90 minutes before the show so you can enjoy a picnic.
Will there be catering on site?
There will be a bar selling soft and alcoholic drinks; details of catering packages will be sent to ticket holders.
Are there bathrooms?
Yes! Including accessible bathrooms.
Do I need to bring a chair?
We provide seating for the show but do bring picnic blankets if you want to picnic first.