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Coordinates: 51°31′44″N 0°09′18″W / 51.529°N 0.155°W / 51.529; -0.155
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{{Short description|Theatre company in London, England}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}

{{Infobox Theatre
{{Advert|date=November 2023}}{{Infobox Theatre
|name = Regent's Park Open Air Theatre
|name = Regent's Park Open Air Theatre
|image = OATAuditorium.jpg
|image = OATAuditorium.jpg
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|architect =
|architect =
|owner = Regent's Park Theatre Ltd.
|owner = Regent's Park Theatre Ltd.
|capacity = 1,200+ seats
|capacity = 1,304 seats
|type = Open-air theatre, with resident company
|type = Open-air theatre, with resident company
|opened = {{Start date and age|df=y|1932}}
|opened = {{Start date and age|df=y|1932}}
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}}
}}


'''Regent's Park Open Air Theatre''' is an open-air theatre based in [[Regent's Park]] in central London.
'''Regent's Park Open Air Theatre''' is an open-air theatre in [[Regent's Park]] in central London.


==The theatre==
==The theatre==
[[File:Open Air Theatre Bar.jpg|thumb|Open Air Theatre Bar, at night]]
[[File:Open Air Theatre Bar.jpg|thumb|Open Air Theatre Bar, at night]]


Established in 1932, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is one of the largest theatres in London (1,304 seats) and is situated in Queen Mary’s Gardens in Regent’s Park, one of London’s Royal Parks.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Royal Parks |url= https://www.royalparks.org.uk/|website=www.royalparks.org.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref> The theatre’s annual 18-week season is attended by over 140,000 people each year. In 2017, the theatre was named London Theatre of the Year in The Stage Awards,<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Stage Awards 2017 Winners In Full |url= https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/the-stage-awards-2017-the-winners-in-full |website=www.thestage.co.uk |language=en-GB|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref> and received the Highly Commended Award for London Theatre of the Year in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Stage Awards 2021 London Theatre of the Year |url= https://www.thestage.co.uk/features/the-stage-awards-winners-2021-kiln-theatre-london-theatre-of-the-year |website=www.thestage.co.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref>
The theatre is located in [[Queen Mary's Gardens]], on the Inner Circle of [[Regent's Park]] and consequently is surrounded entirely by parkland. It was founded in 1932 by [[Sydney Carroll]] and [[Robert Atkins (actor)|Robert Atkins]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Touchstone: Online Exhibition|url=http://www.touchstone.bham.ac.uk/exhibition/NSC/history.html/|work=Touchstone|accessdate=17 May 2015}}</ref>
The theatre is completely uncovered; the only sheltered area being underneath the tiered auditorium, which houses one of the longest bars of any theatre in London – stretching the entire length of the seating.

The theatre houses an extensive backstage area complete with green room for the company and technical team, a full wardrobe, makeup and wigs department, a workshop for the maintenance of stage sets and numerous offices for stage management, sound, LX and other crew.

The theatre is a [[registered charity]], run by an [[Artistic Director]] [[Timothy Sheader]] and Executive Director William Village. The charity's Board of Trustees is chaired by Robert Davis DL, and includes Sir Peter Rogers, Stuart Griffiths OBE, Toni Racklin, Jim Reed, Samantha Spiro, Martin Wilkinson and William Village, alongside [[Judi Dench|Dame Judi Dench]], the theatre's Patron. The theatre has also been the inspiration for other open-air theatres around the world, such as the [[Maynardville Open-Air Theatre]] in [[Cape Town]] and [[Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre]], Chester.


==Awards==
Quality colour footage of the theatre in 1950 was included towards the end of reel 1, in a [[Pathe News]] short of that year narrated by [[Rex Harrison]]. <ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=co54X683Ob8</ref>
{| class=wikitable width="75%"
|-
! width="5%" | Date
! width="15%" | Production
! width="55%" | Award
|-
| valign="top" |
1983
| valign="top" |
''As You Like It''
| valign="top" |
*Actress of the Year in a Supporting Role, [[Olivier Awards]] (Abigail McKern) <ref>{{Cite web|title=Olivier Award Winners |url= https://officiallondontheatre.com/olivier-awards/winners/|website=www.officiallondontheatre.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref>
|-
| valign="top" |
1991
| valign="top" |
''The Boys From Syracuse''
| valign="top" |
*Best Musical Revival, [[Olivier Awards]]
*Best Supporting Actress in a Musical, [[Olivier Awards]] (Jenny Galloway)
|-
| valign="top" |
2009
| valign="top" |
''Hello, Dolly!''
| valign="top" |
*Best Musical Revival, [[Olivier Awards]]
*Best Actress in a Musical, [[Olivier Awards]] (Samantha Spiro)
*Best Theatre Choreography, [[Olivier Awards]] (Stephen Mear)
*Best Musical, [[Evening Standard Awards]]
|-
| valign="top" |
2010
| valign="top" |
''Into The Woods''
| valign="top" |
*Best Musical Revival, [[Olivier Awards]]
*Director of the Year†, [[WhatsOnStage Awards]] (Timothy Sheader) <ref>{{Cite web|title=WhatsOnStage Award Winners 2011 |url= https://www.whatsonstage.com/west-end-theatre/news/full-list-2011-whatsonstagecom-award-winners_9931.html |website=www.whatsonstage.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref>
|-
| valign="top" |
2011
| valign="top" |
''Crazy For You''
| valign="top" |
*Best Musical Revival, [[Olivier Awards]]
*Best Costume Design, [[Olivier Awards]] (Peter McKintosh)
|-
| valign="top" |
2013
| valign="top" |
''The Sound of Music''
| valign="top" |
*Best Musical Revival, [[WhatsOnStage Awards]]
|-
| valign="top" |
2013
| valign="top" |
''To Kill a Mockingbird''
| valign="top" |
*Best Play Revival [[WhatsOnStage Awards]]
|-
| valign="top" |
2016
| valign="top" |
''Jesus Christ Superstar''
| valign="top" |
*Best Musical Revival, [[Olivier Awards]]
*Best Musical, [[Evening Standard Awards]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jesus Christ Superstar Transfers to the Barbican |url= https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/theatre/jesus-christ-superstar-barbican-theatre-a3983066.html |website=www.standard.co.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref>
*Emerging Talent, [[Evening Standard Awards]] (Tyrone Huntley)
|-
| valign="top" |
2017
| valign="top" |
''On The Town''
| valign="top" |
*Best Actress in a Musical, The Stage Debut Awards (Miriam-Teak Lee) <ref>{{Cite web|title=The Stage Debut Awards 2017 Winners In Full |url= https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/the-stage-debut-awards-2017-the-winners-in-full |website=www.thestage.co.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref>
|-
| valign="top" |
2018
| valign="top" |
''Little Shop of Horrors''
| valign="top" |
*Best Musical Revival, [[WhatsOnStage Awards]]
*Best Set Design, [[WhatsOnStage Awards]] (Tom Scutt)
*Best Stage Poster, [[WhatsOnStage Awards]] (FEAST Creative)
*Best Off West End Show, West End Wilma Awards <ref>{{Cite web|title=West End Wilma Awards 2019 |url= https://www.westendwilma.com/news-winners-announced-west-end-wilma-awards-2019/ |website=www.westendwilma.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref>
|-
| valign="top" |
2019
| valign="top" |
''Jesus Christ Superstar (Barbican)''
| valign="top" |
*Best Supporting Male Actor in a Musical, Black British Theatre Awards (Cavin Cornwall) <ref>{{Cite web|title=Winners in First Black British Theatre Awards |url= https://britishtheatre.com/winners-in-first-black-british-theatre-awards-2019/ |website=www.britishtheatre.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref>
|-
| valign="top" |
2019
| valign="top" |
''Evita''
| valign="top" |
*Best Musical, [[Evening Standard Awards]]
*Best Director, Critics Circle Awards (Jamie Lloyd) <ref>{{Cite web|title=Critics Circle Award Winners 2019 |url= https://criticscircletheatreawards.com/just-announced-full-list-of-2019-critics-circle-awards-winners-and-production-photos-2/ |website=www.criticscircletheatreawards.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref>
*Best Direction, [[WhatsOnStage Awards]] (Jamie Lloyd)
|-
|}


†also for ''The Crucible''
==Recent productions==


===Ian Talbot===
==The Venue's History==


In 1932 The New Theatre (now the Noel Coward) was left without a show after the early closure of a play by Mussolini. [[Robert Atkins (actor)|Robert Atkins]] and [[Sydney Carroll]] presented a ‘black and white’ production of Twelfth Night<ref>{{Cite web|title=Twelfth Night (1932) |url= https://openairtheatreheritage.com/productions/twelfth-night/Vci3jyAAADNENEYS |website=www.openairtheatreheritage.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-10-18}}</ref> which subsequently transferred to a makeshift theatre in Regents Park, thus establishing Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre |url= https://www.officialtheatre.com/regents-park-open-air-theatre/ |website=www.officialtheatre.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-10-18}}</ref>
2007 saw the 25th and final year of artistic director, Ian Talbot. The Season included productions of ''[[Macbeth]]'', ''[[A Midsummer Night's Dream]]'', ''[[Lady, Be Good (musical)|Lady, Be Good]]'', ''[[Fantastic Mr Fox]]'' and ''[[The Boy Friend (musical)|The Boy Friend]]''. The choice to perform ''Lady, Be Good'' was in reflection of his final year, being the first musical he directed at the park.


Many stars of the future have performed at the theatre.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Story of the Open Air Theatre |url= https://www.concordtheatricals.co.uk/s/47989/the-park-the-story-of-the-open-air-theatre-regents-park | website=www.concordtheatricals.co.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-10-18}}</ref> One of the first was in 1936 when Vivien Leigh played Anne Boleyn in Henry VIII, three years before she found fame in Gone with the Wind. Subsequent household names to appear at Regent’s Park include: Bernard Bresslaw, Judi Dench – who would go on to have a long relationship with the theatre and is currently Patron – Kate O’Mara, Lesley Garrett, Richard E. Grant, Ralph Fiennes,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Actor Profile: Ralph Fiennes |url= https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/actor-profile/ralph-fiennes | website=www.londontheatre.co.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-10-18}}</ref> Hugh Bonneville, Damian Lewis,<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Magic of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in Pictures |url= https://www.theguardian.com/stage/gallery/2020/aug/19/great-outdoors-the-magic-of-regents-park-open-air-theatre-in-pictures | website=www.theguardian.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-10-18}}</ref> Eileen Atkins, Benedict Cumberbatch,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Benedict Cumberbatch Regent’s Park Archive|url= https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/benedict-cumberbatch-regents-park-archive_38982.html | website=www.whatsonstage.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-10-18}}</ref> Sheridan Smith<ref>{{Cite web|title=Midsummer Night’s Dream 2006|url= https://bbashakespeare.warwick.ac.uk/productions/midsummer-nights-dream-2006-open-air-theatre-regents-park-london | website=www.bbashakespeare.warwick.ac.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-10-18}}</ref> and many more.
===Timothy Sheader===


In 1939, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and the Windmill Theatre were the only two theatres to remain open throughout the War.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre |url= https://seatplan.com/london/regents-park-open-air-theatre/|website=www.seatplan.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref>
[[Timothy Sheader]] became Artistic Director of the theatre in November 2007. His first season, produced in 2008, consisted of productions of ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]'', ''[[Twelfth Night]]'', [[Lerner and Loewe]]'s ''[[Gigi (musical)|Gigi]]''<ref>{{cite web|title=Gigi, Open Air Theatre Regent's Park, London|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/reviews/gigi-open-air-theatre-regents-park-london-902753.html|work=The Independent|accessdate=23 October 2011}}</ref> – starring [[Millicent Martin]] as Mamita and [[Chaim Topol|Topol]] as Honore – and an especially adapted production of ''[[A Midsummer Night's Dream]]'' for family audiences.


In 1963 David Conville and David William established the New Shakespeare Company as a non-profit distributing company.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The New Shakespeare Company |url= https://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/search/archives/9a330e1b-58df-35a0-828a-6fce6558f268 | website=www.archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref> Laurence Olivier was one of the key investors. Conville remained associated with the theatre for 50 years, and following his death in 2018 Artist Lee Simmons was commissioned to design a sculpture that was erected in the grounds of the theatre.<ref>{{Cite web|title=David Conville OBE Memorial Sculpture |url= https://openairtheatre.com/blog/david-conville-obe-memorial-sculpture |website=www.openairtheatre.com/blog|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref>
2009 saw Timothy Sheader's second season as Artistic Director of the theatre. Productions included ''[[Much Ado About Nothing]]'', ''[[The Importance of Being Earnest]]'', ''[[The Tempest]]'' (adapted for family audiences) and ''[[Hello, Dolly! (musical)|Hello, Dolly!]]''. ''Dolly!'' won several awards, including the [[Olivier Award]] for Best Revival of a Musical and Best Actress in a Musical for its star [[Samantha Spiro]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Olivier Awards: the winners|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/theatre-news/7495723/Olivier-Awards-the-winners.html/|work=The Telegraph|accessdate=22 March 2010}}</ref>


The New Shakespeare Company became Regents Park Theatre Ltd in 2010, acknowledging the move away from producing Shakespeare-only plays.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre |url= https://www.theparliamentaryreview.co.uk/organisations/regents-park-open-air-theatre |website=www.theparliamentaryreview.co.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref>
In 2010, the theatre presented new productions of ''[[The Crucible]]'', ''[[The Comedy of Errors]]'' and ''[[Macbeth]]'', which was adapted for younger audiences. The Season musical was ''[[Into the Woods]]'', by [[Stephen Sondheim]]. The production starred [[Hannah Waddingham]] as the Witch, [[Jenna Russell]] as the Baker's Wife, and [[Helen Dallimore]] as Cinderella. It was the first time that ''Into the Woods'' had been performed outside and won the [[Olivier Award]] for "Best Musical Revival". The production subsequently transferred to the [[Public Theater]]'s [[Delacorte Theater]] in New York City in 2012 starring a completely American cast which included [[Academy Award]] nominee [[Amy Adams]].


The theatre’s current fixed amphitheatre-style auditorium was constructed in 1974 with numerous refurbishments leading to the venue as it stands today – which boasts the longest bar in the West End.
The 2011 season included productions of ''[[Lord of the Flies]],'' ''[[The Beggar's Opera]],'' Shakespeare's ''[[Pericles]] (re-imagined for everyone aged six and over)''<ref>{{cite web|title= Pericles reimagined for everyone aged six and over|url=https://openairtheatre.com/production/pericles-reimagined/|work=Regent's Park Open Air Theatre|accessdate=2 July 2011}}</ref> and the Musical ''[[Crazy for You (musical)|Crazy for You]].'' ''Crazy for You'' received the highest number of five star reviews of any musical opening in 2011 and became the first Open Air Theatre production to transfer directly into the West End, where it played at the [[Novello Theatre]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Open Air's Crazy for You Transfers to Novello, 8 Oct|url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/west-end-theatre/news/open-airs-crazy-for-you-transfers-to-novello-8-oct_7093.html/|work=What's On Stage|accessdate=8 September 2011}}</ref>


There have been many significant productions in the theatre’s history including a gala performance in celebration of the Golden Jubilee (attended by HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh), the theatre’s first original musical, Bashville.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bashville (1983) |url= https://openairtheatreheritage.com/productions/bashville/Vq-IOycAACgA3bbf |website=www.openairtheatreheritage.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref>
For the 2012 season, two productions ran across the entire season in repertoire: The Tony Award-winning ''[[Ragtime the Musical]]'' directed by Timothy Sheader and Shakespeare's ''[[A Midsummer Night's Dream]]'' directed by Matthew Dunster.


In 2015 the theatre launched its own digital archive to enable audiences to explore all of the productions across its history.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Open Air Theatre Heritage |url= https://openairtheatreheritage.com/|website=www.openairtheatreheritage.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref> The archive continues to be updated.
Directed by Timothy Sheader and adapted for the stage by Christopher Sergel, [[Harper Lee]]'s American classic ''[[To Kill a Mockingbird]]'' opened the 2013 season with [[Robert Sean Leonard]] as Atticus Finch, his first London appearance in 22 years. The show returned in 2014.


==Management==
Celebrating the 200th anniversary of the novel, a stage adaptation of [[Jane Austen]]'s ''[[Pride and Prejudice]]'' starring [[Jane Asher]] as Lady Catherine de Bourgh, followed ''To Kill a Mockingbird''. A production of William Shakespeare's ''[[The Winter's Tale]]'', tailored specifically for children aged six and over, ran alongside.


{| class=wikitable width="35%"
Returning to close the 2013 season, Rachel Kavanaugh directed a sell-out and extended run of ''[[The Sound of Music]]'' starring Charlotte Wakefield as Maria. With over 188,000 visitors, the 2013 season broke all records.
|-
! width="5%" | Period
! width="30%" | Management<ref>{{Cite web|title=Our History |url= https://openairtheatre.com/history |website=www.openairtheatre.com/history|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref>
|-
| valign="top" |
1932-1939
| valign="top" |
Sydney Carroll, Impresario; [[Robert Atkins (actor)|Robert Atkins]], Artistic Director
|-
| valign="top" |
1940-1961
| valign="top" |
Robert Atkins, Artistic & Managing Director
|-
| valign="top" |
1962-1966
| valign="top" |
David Conville, Managing Director; David William, Artistic Director
|-
| valign="top" |
1967-1973
| valign="top" |
David Conville, Managing Director; Richard Digby Day, Artistic Director
|-
| valign="top" |
1974-1976
| valign="top" |
David Conville, Managing Director; Mervyn Willis, Artistic Director
|-
| valign="top" |
1977-1986
| valign="top" |
David Conville, Artistic & Managing Director
|-
| valign="top" |
1987-2007
| valign="top" |
Ian Talbot, Artistic & Managing Director
|-
| valign="top" |
2008-2021
| valign="top" |
William Village, Executive Director; Timothy Sheader, Artistic Director
|-
| valign="top" |
2021–2023
| valign="top" |
James Pidgeon, Executive Director; Timothy Sheader, Artistic Director
|-
|2024-present
|James Pidgeon, Executive Director; Drew McOnie, Artistic Director
|}


==Key Productions==
The 2014 season began with Arthur Miller's ''[[All My Sons]]'', directed by Timothy Sheader, followed by Harold Brighouse's ''Hobson's Choice'', and Shakespeare's ''[[Twelfth Night]]'' re-imagined for aged six and over. Timothy Sheader also directed The Gershwins' ''[[Porgy and Bess]]'' with a cast drawn from Broadway and the West End.


In 2007 [[Timothy Sheader]] was appointed Artistic Director<ref>{{Cite web|title=Timothy Sheader |url= https://owlartistmanagement.co.uk/talents/timothy-sheader-director/ | website=www.owlartistmanagement.co.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref> and joined Executive Director William Village as Joint Chief Executive. They embarked on programming that would extend the plays presented at the theatre beyond the works of Shakespeare. The first of these was The Importance of Being Earnest. Other works included The Crucible, To Kill a Mockingbird, Lord of the Flies, Pride and Prejudice, Hobson’s Choice, All My Sons, The Seagull and Peter Pan.
Following its sell-out run in 2013,<ref>{{cite web|title=To Kill a Mockingbird Regent's Park Open Air Theatre Review|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/theatre/to-kill-a-mockingbird-regents-park-open-air-theatre-theatre-review-8628673.html/|work=Evening Standard|accessdate=23 May 2013}}</ref> ''[[To Kill a Mockingbird]]'' returned to conclude the 2014 season, before embarking on a UK tour.<ref>{{cite web|title=To Kill A Mockingbird UK Tour |url= http://britishtheatre.com/to-kill-a-mockingbird-uk-tour-extra-performances-added/|work=British Theatre|accessdate=5 February 2015}}</ref> ''[[To Kill a Mockingbird]]'' returned to London in June 2015, when [[Robert Sean Leonard]] reprised his role of Atticus Finch at the [[Barbican Centre]].<ref>{{cite web|title=To Kill a Mockingbird, Barbican|url=https://www.culturewhisper.com/r/kids/preview/1088/|work=CultureWhisper|accessdate=3 July 2015}}</ref>


In 2008 A Midsummer Night’s Dream re-imagined for everyone aged six and over<ref>{{Cite web|title=A Midsummer Night’s Dream Re-Imagined |url= https://openairtheatre.com/production/a-midsummer-nights-dream-reimagined | website=www.openairtheatre.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref> was the first ‘re-imagined’ production at the venue especially created for children. This was followed by various subsequent ‘re-imagined’ titles including Macbeth (2010) Pericles (2011), and Oliver Twist (2017).
The 2015 season was announced in late October. J.M. Barrie's original stage play of ''[[Peter Pan]]'' opened the season, and was followed by Anton Chekhov's ''[[The Seagull]]'' in a new version by [[Torben Betts]]. Rachel Kavanaugh returned to the park to direct the musical ''[[Seven Brides for Seven Brothers]]''. Their 2011 acclaimed production of William Golding's ''[[Lord of the Flies]]'' returned for 14 performances ahead of a major UK tour.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lord of the Flies |url= http://lordoftheflies.co.uk//|accessdate=18 November 2015}}</ref>


Timothy Sheader and William Village also produced a series of critically acclaimed musicals including Hello, Dolly!, Into the Woods, Crazy for You, The Sound of Music, Porgy and Bess, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Jesus Christ Superstar, On The Town, Little Shop of Horrors, Evita and Carousel.
A new adaptation of ''[[Running Wild (Michael Morpurgo)|Running Wild]]'' by [[Michael Morpurgo]] opened the 2016 season as a co-production with [[Chichester Festival Theatre]]. ''[[Henry V (play)|Henry V]]'' followed in celebration of the life and legacy of [[William Shakespeare]]. Artistic Director, [[Timothy Sheader]] directed the 2016 musical, a revival of ''[[Jesus Christ Superstar]]'' by [[Tim Rice]] and [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]], which played to sold-out audiences and won a [[Laurence Olivier Award]] for Best Musical Revival. Following a sell-out run in 2013, ''[[Pride and Prejudice]]'' returned to the Park at the end of the season ahead of a UK tour.
Shakespeare remained part of the programming and, in 2016, Michelle Terry, who went on to become Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe, played the title role of Henry V.
In 2016, the co-production of Michael Morpurgo’s Running Wild<ref>{{Cite web|title=Running Wild |url= https://www.cft.org.uk/archive/running-wild | website=www.cft.org.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref> (with Chichester Festival Theatre) brought new writing to the Open Air Theatre; the production included young people drawn from the local community. Two years later, the venue would co-produce its first opera with English National Opera: The Turn of the Screw.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Turn of the Screw |url= https://www.classicfm.com/events/turn-of-the-screw/| website=www.classicfm.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref> This partnership led to the 2019 production of Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hansel and Gretel Production Gallery |url= https://www.eno.org/collections/eno-hansel-and-gretel-production-gallery/| website=www.eno.org|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref> which included an ensemble of children from the Pimlico Musical Foundation.


In 2020, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre was the first to open during the coronavirus pandemic with a socially distanced production of Jesus Christ Superstar: The Concert.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jesus Christ Superstar |url= https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2020/jul/15/regents-park-open-air-theatre-jesus-christ-superstar | website=www.theguardian.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref>
In November 2016 it was announced that ''[[On the Town (musical)|On the Town]]'' would open the 2017 season, followed by ''Dickens Uncovered'', a new adaptation of ''[[A Tale of Two Cities]]'' by [[Charles Dickens]], and ''[[Oliver Twist]]'' adapted for younger audiences by [[Anya Reiss]], ''Oliver Twist created for everyone aged six and over''. ''[[Jesus Christ Superstar]]'' returned to conclude the season. In January 2017 it was announced that the theatre had won London Theatre of the Year at The Stage Awards.<ref>{{cite web|title=Regent's Park Open Air Theatre (London Theatre of the Year) - The Stage Award|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjjEZa04if4/|work=YouTube|accessdate=2 February 2017}}</ref>


==Beyond the Park==
The 2018 season welcomed the return of ''[[Peter Pan]]'', a revival of their 2015 Olivier Award-nominated production. For a limited run, in a co-production with the [[English National Opera]], Artistic Director [[Timothy Sheader]] rediscovered [[Benjamin Britten]]'s ''[[The Turn of the Screw (opera)|The Turn of the Screw]]'', receiving acclaimed reviews.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Turn of the Screw review|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jun/26/the-turn-of-the-screw-review-britten-opera-eno-regents-park-open-air/|work=The Guardian|accessdate=26 June 2018}}</ref> Max Webster directed William Shakespeare's ''[[As You Like It]]''. For families, ''Dinosaur World Live'', a new interactive show played daytime performances. The season concluded with the mean green monster musical ''[[Little Shop of Horrors (musical)|Little Shop of Horrors]]'', which played to critical acclaim.<ref>{{cite web|title=Theatre review: Little Shop of Horrors at the Open Air Theatre|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/theatre-review-little-shop-of-horrors-at-the-open-air-theatre-regents-park-nw1-g78rxqh9q/|work=The Times|accessdate=13 August 2018}}</ref> 2018 also saw Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's production of ''[[Jesus Christ Superstar]]'' play at Chicago's Lyric Opera.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jesus Christ Superstar, Lyric|url=https://www.lyricopera.org/concertstickets/calendar/2017-2018/productions/lyricopera/jesus-christ-superstar-tickets/|work=Lyric Opera of Chicago|accessdate=25 April 2018}}</ref>


Various Open Air Theatre productions have gone on to be presented beyond the theatre itself. The first overseas transfer was of the 1956 productions of Hamlet and Twelfth Night when the theatre was invited to perform at the Baalbek Festival in Lebanon. In 2011, Crazy For You transferred to the West End’s Novello Theatre<ref>{{Cite web|title=Crazy For You Transfers to Novello Theatre |url= https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/news/crazy-for-you-transfers-to-novello-theatre-on-8-oct |website=www.londontheatre.co.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref> and, the following year, Timothy Sheader and Liam Steel re-directed their 2010 production of Into The Woods<ref>{{Cite web|title=Into the Woods with Donna Murphy, Amy Adams, Chip Zien and Dennis O’Hare Opens in Central Park |url= https://www.playbill.com/article/into-the-woods-with-donna-murphy-amy-adams-chip-zien-and-denis-ohare-opens-in-central-park-com-196486 |website=www.playbill.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref> in Central Park, New York for The Public Theatre.
The 2019 season opened with [[Thornton Wilder]]’s [[Pulitzer Prize]]-winning play ''[[Our Town]]'' (16 May – 8 June), directed by Ellen McDougall, Artistic Director of the [[Gate Theatre (London)|Gate Theatre]]. Continuing their collaboration with [[English National Opera]], they present [[Engelbert Humperdinck (composer)|Engelbert Humperdinck]]’s opera ''[[Hansel and Gretel (opera)|Hansel and Gretel]]'' (14 June – 22 June) - members of the ENO Orchestra and was conducted by Ben Glassberg, with direction by Open Air Theatre’s Artistic Director, [[Timothy Sheader]]. [[Dominic Hill]], Artistic Director of the [[Citizens Theatre]], Glasgow, then directed a new production of ''[[A Midsummer Night’s Dream]]'' (28 June – 27 July). To conclude the season, [[Jamie Lloyd (director)|Jamie Lloyd]] directed [[Tim Rice]] and [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]]’s ''[[Evita (musical)|Evita]]'' (2 August – 21 September). The theatre's multi award-winning<ref>{{cite web|title=Evening Standard Award-winning Jesus Christ Superstar Returns|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/theatre/jesus-christ-superstar-barbican-theatre-a3983066.html|work=Evening Standard|accessdate=7 November 2018}}</ref> production of ''[[Jesus Christ Superstar]]'' also transferred to the [[Barbican Centre]] for just 60 performances from 4 July - 24 August 2019, prior to a 50th anniversary tour of the US.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jesus Christ Superstar Barbican|url=https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2019/event/jesus-christ-superstar|work=Barbican Centre|accessdate=7 November 2018}}</ref> In November 2019, Regent's Park's production of Evita won Best Musical at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards.<ref>{{cite web|title=Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2019 Winners|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/theatre/evening-standard-theatre-awards-winners-2019-a4294246.html|work=Evening Standard|accessdate=25 November 2019}}</ref>


Productions that have toured the UK following seasons at the Open Air Theatre include: The Pirates of Penzance, High Society, To Kill A Mockingbird<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kids Previews |url= https://www.culturewhisper.com/r/kids/preview/1088 |website=www.culturewhisper.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref> (also a month-long residency at the [[Barbican Centre]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=To Kill a Mockingbird Review |url= https://britishtheatre.com/review-to-kill-a-mockingbird-barbican-theatre-5stars/ |website=www.britishtheatre.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref>), Lord of the Flies,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lord of the Flies Casting Tour |url= https://www.whatsonstage.com/bath-theatre/news/lord-of-the-flies-casting-tour_38440.html |website=www.whatsonstage.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref> Running Wild and Pride and Prejudice.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pride and Prejudice UK Tour |url= https://www.classicfm.com/events/pride-and-prejudice-to-tour-uk/|website=www.classicfm.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref>
The 2020 season musical will be [[Rodgers and Hammerstein|Rodgers and Hammerstein's]] [[Carousel (musical)|''Carousel'']] directed by [[Timothy Sheader]] (31 July to 19 September), who reunites with Jesus Christ Superstar Choreographer Drew McOnie. Finally, ''Dragons and Mythical Beasts'' runs from (11 August to 6 September).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://officiallondontheatre.com/news/regents-park-open-air-theatre-announce-2020-season/|title=Regent's Park Open Air Theatre announce 2020 season|website=Official London Theatre|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-09-21}}</ref>


The most widely seen production from Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is the 2016 production, Jesus Christ Superstar. After a second sell-out season in 2017, the production played a limited engagement at the [[Lyric Opera of Chicago]] in 2018<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jesus Christ Superstar |url= https://www.lyricopera.org/shows/upcoming/2017-18/jesus-christ-superstar/ | website=www.lyricopera.org|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref> before transferring to the Barbican in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jesus Christ Superstar |url= https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2019/event/jesus-christ-superstar | website=www.barbican.org.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref> The show is currently touring North America.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jesus Christ Superstar US Tour |url= https://ustour.jesuschristsuperstar.com/| website=www.jesuschristsuperstar.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2021-09-10}}</ref>
The 2021 season will open with a new musical [[101 Dalmatians (2021 musical)|''101 Dalmatians'']], with a book by [[Zinnie Harris]] and music and lyrics written by [[Douglas Hodge]], based on the book by [[Dodie Smith]] (15 May — 20 June). This will be followed by [[William Shakespeare|William Shakespeare's]] ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]'' directed by Kimberley Sykes (26 June to 24 July). These productions were postponed from 2020 due to the [[2019–20 coronavirus pandemic]].


==References==
==References==
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{{Theatres in London}}
{{Theatres in London}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Regent's Park Open Air Theatre}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Regent's Park Open Air Theatre}}

Latest revision as of 13:49, 26 April 2024

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre
Map
AddressInner Circle
London, NW1
United Kingdom
Coordinates51°31′44″N 0°09′18″W / 51.529°N 0.155°W / 51.529; -0.155
Public transitLondon Underground Baker Street
OwnerRegent's Park Theatre Ltd.
TypOpen-air theatre, with resident company
Capacity1,304 seats
ProductionSummer repertory
Bauwesen
Opened1932; 92 years ago (1932)
Rebuilt1999
Website
openairtheatre.com

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre is an open-air theatre in Regent's Park in central London.

The theatre

[edit]
Open Air Theatre Bar, at night

Established in 1932, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is one of the largest theatres in London (1,304 seats) and is situated in Queen Mary’s Gardens in Regent’s Park, one of London’s Royal Parks.[1] The theatre’s annual 18-week season is attended by over 140,000 people each year. In 2017, the theatre was named London Theatre of the Year in The Stage Awards,[2] and received the Highly Commended Award for London Theatre of the Year in 2021.[3]

Awards

[edit]
Date Production Award

1983

As You Like It

1991

The Boys From Syracuse

2009

Hello, Dolly!

2010

Into The Woods

2011

Crazy For You

2013

The Sound of Music

2013

To Kill a Mockingbird

2016

Jesus Christ Superstar

2017

On The Town

  • Best Actress in a Musical, The Stage Debut Awards (Miriam-Teak Lee) [7]

2018

Little Shop of Horrors

2019

Jesus Christ Superstar (Barbican)

  • Best Supporting Male Actor in a Musical, Black British Theatre Awards (Cavin Cornwall) [9]

2019

Evita

†also for The Crucible

The Venue's History

[edit]

In 1932 The New Theatre (now the Noel Coward) was left without a show after the early closure of a play by Mussolini. Robert Atkins and Sydney Carroll presented a ‘black and white’ production of Twelfth Night[11] which subsequently transferred to a makeshift theatre in Regents Park, thus establishing Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.[12]

Many stars of the future have performed at the theatre.[13] One of the first was in 1936 when Vivien Leigh played Anne Boleyn in Henry VIII, three years before she found fame in Gone with the Wind. Subsequent household names to appear at Regent’s Park include: Bernard Bresslaw, Judi Dench – who would go on to have a long relationship with the theatre and is currently Patron – Kate O’Mara, Lesley Garrett, Richard E. Grant, Ralph Fiennes,[14] Hugh Bonneville, Damian Lewis,[15] Eileen Atkins, Benedict Cumberbatch,[16] Sheridan Smith[17] and many more.

In 1939, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and the Windmill Theatre were the only two theatres to remain open throughout the War.[18]

In 1963 David Conville and David William established the New Shakespeare Company as a non-profit distributing company.[19] Laurence Olivier was one of the key investors. Conville remained associated with the theatre for 50 years, and following his death in 2018 Artist Lee Simmons was commissioned to design a sculpture that was erected in the grounds of the theatre.[20]

The New Shakespeare Company became Regents Park Theatre Ltd in 2010, acknowledging the move away from producing Shakespeare-only plays.[21]

The theatre’s current fixed amphitheatre-style auditorium was constructed in 1974 with numerous refurbishments leading to the venue as it stands today – which boasts the longest bar in the West End.

There have been many significant productions in the theatre’s history including a gala performance in celebration of the Golden Jubilee (attended by HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh), the theatre’s first original musical, Bashville.[22]

In 2015 the theatre launched its own digital archive to enable audiences to explore all of the productions across its history.[23] The archive continues to be updated.

Management

[edit]
Period Management[24]

1932-1939

Sydney Carroll, Impresario; Robert Atkins, Artistic Director

1940-1961

Robert Atkins, Artistic & Managing Director

1962-1966

David Conville, Managing Director; David William, Artistic Director

1967-1973

David Conville, Managing Director; Richard Digby Day, Artistic Director

1974-1976

David Conville, Managing Director; Mervyn Willis, Artistic Director

1977-1986

David Conville, Artistic & Managing Director

1987-2007

Ian Talbot, Artistic & Managing Director

2008-2021

William Village, Executive Director; Timothy Sheader, Artistic Director

2021–2023

James Pidgeon, Executive Director; Timothy Sheader, Artistic Director

2024-present James Pidgeon, Executive Director; Drew McOnie, Artistic Director

Key Productions

[edit]

In 2007 Timothy Sheader was appointed Artistic Director[25] and joined Executive Director William Village as Joint Chief Executive. They embarked on programming that would extend the plays presented at the theatre beyond the works of Shakespeare. The first of these was The Importance of Being Earnest. Other works included The Crucible, To Kill a Mockingbird, Lord of the Flies, Pride and Prejudice, Hobson’s Choice, All My Sons, The Seagull and Peter Pan.

In 2008 A Midsummer Night’s Dream re-imagined for everyone aged six and over[26] was the first ‘re-imagined’ production at the venue especially created for children. This was followed by various subsequent ‘re-imagined’ titles including Macbeth (2010) Pericles (2011), and Oliver Twist (2017).

Timothy Sheader and William Village also produced a series of critically acclaimed musicals including Hello, Dolly!, Into the Woods, Crazy for You, The Sound of Music, Porgy and Bess, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Jesus Christ Superstar, On The Town, Little Shop of Horrors, Evita and Carousel. Shakespeare remained part of the programming and, in 2016, Michelle Terry, who went on to become Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe, played the title role of Henry V. In 2016, the co-production of Michael Morpurgo’s Running Wild[27] (with Chichester Festival Theatre) brought new writing to the Open Air Theatre; the production included young people drawn from the local community. Two years later, the venue would co-produce its first opera with English National Opera: The Turn of the Screw.[28] This partnership led to the 2019 production of Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel[29] which included an ensemble of children from the Pimlico Musical Foundation.

In 2020, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre was the first to open during the coronavirus pandemic with a socially distanced production of Jesus Christ Superstar: The Concert.[30]

Beyond the Park

[edit]

Various Open Air Theatre productions have gone on to be presented beyond the theatre itself. The first overseas transfer was of the 1956 productions of Hamlet and Twelfth Night when the theatre was invited to perform at the Baalbek Festival in Lebanon. In 2011, Crazy For You transferred to the West End’s Novello Theatre[31] and, the following year, Timothy Sheader and Liam Steel re-directed their 2010 production of Into The Woods[32] in Central Park, New York for The Public Theatre.

Productions that have toured the UK following seasons at the Open Air Theatre include: The Pirates of Penzance, High Society, To Kill A Mockingbird[33] (also a month-long residency at the Barbican Centre[34]), Lord of the Flies,[35] Running Wild and Pride and Prejudice.[36]

The most widely seen production from Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is the 2016 production, Jesus Christ Superstar. After a second sell-out season in 2017, the production played a limited engagement at the Lyric Opera of Chicago in 2018[37] before transferring to the Barbican in 2019.[38] The show is currently touring North America.[39]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Royal Parks". www.royalparks.org.uk. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  2. ^ "The Stage Awards 2017 Winners In Full". www.thestage.co.uk. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  3. ^ "The Stage Awards 2021 London Theatre of the Year". www.thestage.co.uk. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  4. ^ "Olivier Award Winners". www.officiallondontheatre.com. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  5. ^ "WhatsOnStage Award Winners 2011". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  6. ^ "Jesus Christ Superstar Transfers to the Barbican". www.standard.co.uk. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  7. ^ "The Stage Debut Awards 2017 Winners In Full". www.thestage.co.uk. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  8. ^ "West End Wilma Awards 2019". www.westendwilma.com. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  9. ^ "Winners in First Black British Theatre Awards". www.britishtheatre.com. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  10. ^ "Critics Circle Award Winners 2019". www.criticscircletheatreawards.com. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  11. ^ "Twelfth Night (1932)". www.openairtheatreheritage.com. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  12. ^ "Regent's Park Open Air Theatre". www.officialtheatre.com. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  13. ^ "The Story of the Open Air Theatre". www.concordtheatricals.co.uk. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  14. ^ "Actor Profile: Ralph Fiennes". www.londontheatre.co.uk. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  15. ^ "The Magic of Regent's Park Open Air Theatre in Pictures". www.theguardian.com. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  16. ^ "Benedict Cumberbatch Regent's Park Archive". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  17. ^ "Midsummer Night's Dream 2006". www.bbashakespeare.warwick.ac.uk. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  18. ^ "Regent's Park Open Air Theatre". www.seatplan.com. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  19. ^ "The New Shakespeare Company". www.archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  20. ^ "David Conville OBE Memorial Sculpture". www.openairtheatre.com/blog. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  21. ^ "Regent's Park Open Air Theatre". www.theparliamentaryreview.co.uk. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  22. ^ "Bashville (1983)". www.openairtheatreheritage.com. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  23. ^ "Open Air Theatre Heritage". www.openairtheatreheritage.com. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  24. ^ "Our History". www.openairtheatre.com/history. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  25. ^ "Timothy Sheader". www.owlartistmanagement.co.uk. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  26. ^ "A Midsummer Night's Dream Re-Imagined". www.openairtheatre.com. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  27. ^ "Running Wild". www.cft.org.uk. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  28. ^ "Turn of the Screw". www.classicfm.com. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  29. ^ "Hansel and Gretel Production Gallery". www.eno.org. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  30. ^ "Jesus Christ Superstar". www.theguardian.com. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  31. ^ "Crazy For You Transfers to Novello Theatre". www.londontheatre.co.uk. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  32. ^ "Into the Woods with Donna Murphy, Amy Adams, Chip Zien and Dennis O'Hare Opens in Central Park". www.playbill.com. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  33. ^ "Kids Previews". www.culturewhisper.com. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  34. ^ "To Kill a Mockingbird Review". www.britishtheatre.com. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  35. ^ "Lord of the Flies Casting Tour". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  36. ^ "Pride and Prejudice UK Tour". www.classicfm.com. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  37. ^ "Jesus Christ Superstar". www.lyricopera.org. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  38. ^ "Jesus Christ Superstar". www.barbican.org.uk. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  39. ^ "Jesus Christ Superstar US Tour". www.jesuschristsuperstar.com. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  • Guide to British Theatres 1750–1950, John Earl and Michael Sell, pp. 129–130 (Theatres Trust, 2000). ISBN 0-7136-5688-3.
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