The Big Chill in the heat of a summer afternoon at Eastnor. Credit: Kelvin Webb

SO it's raining cats and dogs and the great outdoor event planned months ago has arrived - along with an unrepentant deluge leading you to pause and consider whether to go or not.

As always, our British weather is one of those very predictable talking points and, unlike other hotter climes, we can usually only guarantee the rain.

So for the hardy spirited among us, it's not a case of will we or won't we, but what to wear to accommodate the weather.

We all made the decision long ago that there's no such thing as bad weather, it's the bad choice of clothing that makes the day miserable.

And that's just if you're in the audience. What about the performers themselves?

Some organisers, by the very nature of their events, cater for inclement weather and build stages. Eastnor and The Big Chill or concerts at the Three Counties Showground are examples, but there are many outdoor entertainments where sheltering the performers, never mind the audience, is just not possible.

Eastnor Castle marketing co-ordinator Sarah Bullock feels that rain is so much a part of Britain that we need to look at the weather in a more positive light.

"When a travelling theatre visits there is no stage so if it rains we are restricted in what we can put up otherwise people just wouldn't be able to see," she explains.

"There's no point sitting in the dry to gaze at the back of people's heads. 3 2 "We do allow big umbrellas and, with a good mac and wellies, there should be no reason why people can't enjoy the show.

"Most people don't mind a bit of rain if it's warm, it's when it's cold and wet that it's worse, but even then a rug and warm clothing would take care of most of it.

"There's no reason why rain should put people off coming to an event and, in fact, it doesn't - unless it's like last year when the floods prevented them from getting here."

One of the companies destined to perform in Herefordshire this summer is the aptly titled Rain Or Shine theatre company based in Gloucester.

It will be taking its production of A Winter's Tale all over the country and, specialising as it does in outdoor summer tours to castles, stately homes and gardens, it's no surprise to learn that producer Jane Meekings is fairly clued up on how to cope with the British weather.

In its 10 years of existence, Rain or Shine has produced 58 performances and has had to cancel only one - not because of rain, Jane explains, but because of wind, meaning no one could hear.

"Bad weather has never put us off and most outdoor actors wouldn't audition for the part if they worried about it," she stresses.

"In the floods last year we had to move the venue to higher ground and we've played in a car park but we still had an audience of 300.

"We've even played when there was a freak tornado that destroyed our changing room. It literally lifted it and carried it off!"

The company has its own stage and outdoor lighting and encourages the members of the audience to sit close around the performance area.

"I love the atmosphere that outdoor theatre can create and the willingness of the people to enjoy themselves," Jane enthuses.

"When people go to an indoor theatre they sometimes just sit there waiting to be entertained but people who come to the outdoor theatres want to be part of the occasion and really get involved."

In fact, she adds, Rain or Shine have nothing but applause for the audiences who braved the torrential rain and floods to see last summer's production of Twelfth Night - and gives thanks for tumble dryers and dedicated actors . . .

So, it's trumps for the British mentality, with people determined to enjoy their performances and picnics and all weather conditions.

A drop of rain or a bit of wind is not going to stop them.

9:39am Monday 16th June 2008

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