Must-See Outdoor Theatre Shows
Must-See Outdoor Theatre Shows of the Summer
Experience the magic of open-air performances with our handpicked selection of captivating shows…
Pictured top: Australian cast of Twelfth Night (c) RBG Melbourne, photo by Ben Fon
Sherlock Holmes
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, until 6 June
London, 1890, a city rapidly expanding, devouring all in its path. Fresh off the success of his first big case, Sherlock Holmes misuses his time, until an unknown woman and a mysterious jewel arrive at 221b Baker Street.
As the chase begins, and with lives on the line, can Holmes and Watson pull back the curtain on the big show and reveal the mastermind behind this deadly conspiracy?
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, 20 June – 18 July
When a bitter dispute erupts in the fairy kingdom, four fleeing lovers and an unsuspecting weaver called Bottom find themselves adrift in an enchanted forest, down a path of chaos and delusion conjured by the mischievous Puck.
Twelfth Night
Kew Gardens, 25 July – 30 August
The Australian Shakespeare Company continues its much-heralded tradition of Shakespeare Under the Stars at Kew Gardens – a fantastic setting for outdoor theatre from this acclaimed group.
The Wind in the Willows
Kew Gardens, 18 July – 23 August
The Wind in the Willows is Kenneth Grahame’s classic tale of life on the riverbank. Set against the magical backdrop of the lake, this critically acclaimed outdoor production is filled with colourful characters and great music.
Othello
Morden Hall Park, 1 & 2 July
Join The Lord Chamberlain’s Men this summer for Othello, seeing it performed how William Shakespeare first saw it, as The Lord Chamberlain’s Men – with a history stretching back to Shakespeare’s original company – present this play in the open air, with an all male cast and Elizabethan costumes, music and dance.
Family Theatre: The Jungle Book
Morden Hall Park, 21 & 22 July
Immersion Theatre returns to Morden Hall Park with a hilarious and engaging performance of The Jungle Book in the rose garden.
Claremont Live: The Three Musketeers
Claremont Landscape Garden, 23 July
Young D’Artagnan is desperate to join Athos, Porthos and Aramis as an elite Musketeer of the King’s Guard. To prove himself he plunges into a thrilling adventure to retrieve the Queen’s jewels, race the clock to restore Her Majesty’s honour, survive the machinations of scheming Cardinal Richelieu, and cross swords with the deadly Milady de Winter
Claremont Live: The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny
Claremont Landscape Garden, 25 July
Michael Whitmore’s charming adaptation is the perfect opportunity to grab the kids, a blanket and a picnic and join Peter and Benjamin on their hair-raising adventures – a magical evening of fun for all the family.
