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Open Air Theatre Regent's Park

By , About.com Guide

Open Air Theatre Regent's Park

Photographer: Alastair Muir

www.openairtheatre.org

About London Open Air Theatre Regent's Park:

Established in 1932, the Open Air Theatre is the only fully professional, permanent outdoor theater in Britain. Its steeply raked auditorium is one of the largest in London with 1,240 seats, yet many say it feels much more intimate than any other theater.

Famous for its Shakespeare performances, A Midsummer Night's Dream remains a signature piece in the repertoire, but each year they also usually produce a musical and a children's play like Babe, the Sheep-Pig. See photos of A Midsummer Night's Dream at Open Air Theatre Regent's Park.

When:

Annual event in London from May or June to September.

2013 Dates:

From 16 May 2013. (End date to be announced).

Harper Lee's American classic To Kill a Mockingbird, adapted for the stage by Christopher Sergel, will launch the 2013 season. The play will run from 16 May to 15 June 2013.

Jane Austen's ultimate romantic comedy, Pride and Prejudice will run from 20 June to 20 July 2013. The play is dramatized by Bristol Old Vic's former Artistic Director, Simon Reade.

From 29 June to 20 July 2013, a production of William Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale will be tailored specifically for children aged six and over. Using Shakespeare's original text, this follows their previous productions of Pericles, Macbeth and The Tempest especially created for younger audiences.

The Sound of Music will conclude the 2013 season from 25 July to 7 September 2013. Directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, this will be the first time that a work by the hit musical-writing partnership of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II has been staged at the Open Air Theatre. Rachel Kavanaugh directed productions at the Open Air Theatre from 1993 – 2006 before her appointment as Artistic Director of Birmingham Rep (2006-2011). She has since directed The Music Man and The Way of the World (Chichester Festival Theatre) and Love Story (Chichester Festival Theatre and West End) Rachel will be joined by Choreographer Alistair David and Olivier Award-winning set and costume designer Peter McKintosh, who joins the team for another season.

Priority booking for members opens on 9 October 2012, with public booking opening on 20 November 2012. Across the 2013 season, the theatre is also extending its BREEZE scheme for those aged 18-25 with over 700 preview tickets available for just £10.

See the full What's On listing on the official website.

Where:

Inner Circle
Regent's Park
London
NW1 4NR

Nearest Tube Station:

Baker Street
You can walk from other stations around the edge of the park. (I use Warren Street and walk there in under half an hour.)

See map of the route from the tube station to the theater.

Use Journey Planner to plan your route by public transport.

Tickets:

£17 - £50.
Telephone booking: 0844 826 4242 (9am-9pm Mon to Sun).

See full How to Book details on the official website.

Food and Drink:

If you prefer to bring your own food there is a picnic lawn, with table and benches, before entering the auditorium. There is also plenty of food on sale including a barbecue and homemade daily specials. The cakes are always popular.

There is a fully licensed bar so I do recommend a glass of Pimms on a summer's evening. They also serve hot drinks and I enjoyed the novelty of having a cup of tea at the theater.

Please note, you are welcome to take drinks into the auditorium but they ask that they you don't eat during the performances.

Open Air Theatre Regent's Park Website:

Open Air Theatre Regent's Park - Visitor Tips:

  • Open air theater means just that. There is no roof and no cover so bring a waterproof jacket with a hood. London weather can be changeable so be prepared. Performances are only canceled if the weather is a danger to the actors. See the weather policy.
  • Bring a plastic bag to sit on in case it has been raining before the performance. The seat pads do repel water but will soak up some rain if it's been a heavy shower.
  • For evening performances, bring a blanket or sweater to put over your legs as you can get cold sitting still for so long.
  • If you get caught out and the weather is a problem, they do sell rugs, rain macs and caps.
  • All performances are under three hours long and all have an interval where you can dash to the toilets or get a fresh drink.
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