THE new pavilion at Hylands House will celebrate its launch by staging a Summer of Love festival season.

The season will be headlined by two major events in the space of two weeks, including a production of the Shakespeare favourite Romeo and Juliet, as well as Three Sides of Seduction: Opera’s Eternal Women, which will feature classic numbers from the likes of Carmen and La Boheme.

Romeo and Juliet will be performed on Friday, July 11, at 7.30pm. The production, by the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, is priced from £12.50, with guests able to enjoy their own picnic through the performance on the back lawn.

Then on Sunday, July 27, the opera – hosted by Figaro and Friends and Chelmsford City Opera and performed by members of the Royal Opera House and English National Opera amongst others – will take centre stage. The event starts at 7.30pm and tickets are £20.

Guests are again invited to bring their picnics and enjoy tales of drama, passion, love and betrayal.

As well as the performances, the house will also be hosting a number of workshops, including how to design your own wedding favour with resident artist Mona Marnell and romantic carriage rides around the estate.

For more information and tickets, visit www.chelmsford.gov.uk/hylands