This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park and Ian Talbot’s last year as artistic director. To celebrate this, the summer season - which runs from May 28th to September 16th - will be packed full of classic plays, musicals, kid’s theatre and comedy. The theatre is the oldest outdoor theatre in Britain and receives over 120,000 visitors each summer - proof of its popularity amongst London’s theatre-goers and tourists alike. As the sun sets over the trees and the fairy lights begin to twinkle, it is transformed into a truly magical venue, home to some of the best of London theatre.
The season opened with one of the most famous of Shakespeare’s tragedies, ‘Macbeth‘, and was soon followed by the Theatre’s old favourite and signature performance, ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream‘, which runs until August 18th. The park provides the perfect backdrop for this comic tale of fairies and romantic mix-ups set in enchanted woodland.
Later in the season, a revival of Gershwin’s 1924 Broadway musical - ‘Lady, Be Good’ - which runs from July 17th to August 25th. The 2007 season also sees the return of Sandy Wilson’s ‘The Boy Friend’ which runs from August 28th to September 16th before heading off on a regional tour.
As always, there is a show produced with kids in mind and this summer it’s Roald Dahl’s ‘Fantastic Mr Fox‘. On Sundays, the Theatre will host nights of comedy from stars like Ed Byrne, Jimmy Carr and the Comedy Store Players. For an extra special night, the ‘Midsummer Concert’ follows the June 23rd performance of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and will showcase trumpeter Humphrey Lyttelton and his seven-piece jazz band. A magical Shakespeare classic and a one-off musical performance under the stars is guaranteed to be a winning combination - ideal for young lovers, or lovers who are young at heart!
Tickets range from £10 to £40 and are easily booked online or over the phone. There’s no need to book a restaurant nearby though, because the Theatre serves a wide range of homemade food - including hot dishes, summer salads and traditional desserts. Visitors can also bring a picnic to eat in the Theatre grounds and on Saturdays the barbeque dishes up beef burgers, bratwurst sausages and vegetable kebabs with fresh sauces and salsas. For those who fancy a drink as the sun sets, the bar is open ‘til midnight and fully stocked with a selection of wines, Pimms, champagne and seasonal cocktails.
For even more cocktails, head for Fifty Five - a funky cocktail bar just five minutes walk from Camden Town station. The combination of sleek candle-lit booths, an extensive drinks menu and the legendary 2-for-1 Happy Hour from 6-8pm makes this place a favourite with celebrities like Sadie Frost and Peaches Geldoff, as well as Camden’s coolest cocktail-lovers. The bartenders mix the alcoholic creations with laid-back flair and serve up unique tipples like the Lemon Meringue Martini and Tokyo Iced Tea. A perfect start or end to a night out!
