Theatre Among the Trees
Regent's Park is home to one of London's most magical performance venues. The Open Air Theatre sits in a natural woodland clearing within the Inner Circle, surrounded by mature trees that form a living backdrop to the stage. Since 1932, the theatre has presented a summer season of productions that take advantage of the unique outdoor setting, and it has built a reputation for staging work of a quality that rivals the best indoor venues in the capital.
The auditorium holds 1,256 people in a steeply raked arrangement that gives every seat a clear view of the stage. The seating is open to the sky, meaning performances are subject to the weather, though the theatre continues through light rain and only cancels in truly extreme conditions. This relationship with the elements is part of what makes the experience special. As the evening light fades during a performance, bats emerge above the trees and the sounds of the park filter into the theatre, creating an atmosphere that no indoor venue can replicate.
The Season and Programme
The theatre season runs from May to September, typically presenting four productions across the summer. The programme usually includes at least one Shakespeare play, often a comedy such as A Midsummer Night's Dream or Much Ado About Nothing that suits the outdoor setting particularly well. A major musical, a newer play and a family show aimed at younger audiences typically complete the season.
The quality of the productions has risen significantly over the past two decades. Recent seasons have seen transfers to the West End and Broadway, award-winning productions and performances by leading actors. The theatre has shown that outdoor performance is not a lesser form but a distinct artistic experience with its own strengths and possibilities.
Shakespeare in the Park
Shakespeare has been central to the Open Air Theatre since its earliest days, and the woodland setting is a natural fit for the plays. Comedies set in forests and gardens, such as A Midsummer Night's Dream and As You Like It, feel as though they were written for this specific venue. The trees become part of the set, the birdsong becomes part of the soundtrack, and the transition from daylight to dusk adds a dimension that Shakespeare himself would have recognised from the original Globe Theatre.
The theatre's Shakespeare productions are accessible and entertaining, making them an excellent introduction for newcomers while satisfying regular theatregoers. The open-air setting strips away some of the formality associated with classical theatre, creating a more relaxed and communal atmosphere.
The Experience of Attending
Arriving at the Open Air Theatre is part of the experience. Visitors walk through Regent's Park to reach the venue, and the approach through Queen Mary's Gardens and its 12,000 roses is particularly beautiful on a summer evening. The theatre has a spacious picnic lawn where audiences gather before the show, and many people bring picnic hampers and blankets to enjoy before curtain up. Food and drink are also available on site.
Performances typically begin at 7.15pm or 7.45pm in the evening, with matinees for family shows. Evening shows finish after dark, and walking back through the park under the stars or artificial lighting is a fitting end to the experience. The theatre provides blankets for hire on cooler evenings, and regulars know to bring an extra layer regardless of the daytime forecast.
A London Tradition
The Open Air Theatre has been running for over 90 years and has become one of London's great summer traditions. Generations of Londoners have childhood memories of seeing their first Shakespeare play in this woodland clearing, and the theatre continues to introduce new audiences to live performance in a setting that feels inherently welcoming. It is a venue where the experience extends well beyond the stage, embracing the park, the weather and the shared pleasure of theatre under an open sky.
