8 Outdoor Theatre Shows To Book This Summer
26th April 2023 | By Audrey Perry
A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Shakespeare’s Globe
As the play is focused in an enchanted forest, you can watch a more realistic version of one of Shakespeare’s most well-known plays outside. If you haven’t read or learnt about the hilariously-chaotic plot of A Midsummer’s Night Dream back in your school days, imagine four rebellious lovers, feuds between a King and Queen, comedic side characters and a fairy casting a spell on all of the above to unveil in front of you. All the different storylines cross paths in the enchanted forest—what could possibly happen? Find out at Shakespeare’s Globe this summer for your summer Night Dream.
27 April – 12 August 2023
Shakespeare’s Globe
shakespearesglobe.com
The Comedy of Errors, Shakespeare’s Globe
If you like the plot of The Parent Trap, you will most definitely enjoy The Comedy of Errors. With a similar story of two twins being separated and birth and coincidentally reuniting years later, this play will show you just how complicated and somewhat hilarious a reunion can be. A case of mistaken identity and a series of chaotic events later, how will the parents respond to this when they eventually find them…12 May – 29 July 2023
Shakespeare’s Globe
shakespearesglobe.com
Once On This Island, Regent Open Air Theatre
Once On This Island is the theatrical adaptation of The Little Mermaid, with the Tony Award-winning songwriting team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. The main character, Ti Moune, is a peasant girl who falls in love with a boy from the other side of town, Daniel. As she is madly in love with him, she makes a deal with the pompous gods to save his life. Actor Derick Coby said the premise of the play is “love no matter the complexity.” The premise of the play is to be welcoming to those who may be different from you.10 May – 10 June 2023
Regent Open Air Theatre
Robin Hood, Regent Open Air Theatre
I’m sure you have heard the phrase, “Steal from the rich and give to the poor.” There have been many different takes and films on the classic tale of Robin Hood, and now Robin Hood The Legend Rewritten is another one to add to that list. This play is set in England when King Richard of Lionheart reigned. Robin Hood, a noble thief woos a maiden and stops the Sheriff of Nottingham. This new take is set in a divided kingdom, and the audience gets to see if Robin Hood is able to outwit the evil Sheriff. With humour and heart, Robin Hood Reimagined needs to be on your agenda.17 June – 22 July 2023
Regent Open Air Theatre
londontheatre.co.uk
The Twelfth Night, Shakespeare in the Squares
This tale is the story of unrequited love. It starts off with twins, Viola and Sebastian, separated by a shipwreck, leading to a bizarre love triangle and mistaken identity. Viola believes that she has lost her brother and her further actions trying to now survive the world around her without him—she disguises herself as a man named Cesario. This romantic comedy has a confusing love triangle that is fun to watch: Cesario (who is really Viola) is in love with her employer Orisino. Orisino is in love with a Countess named Olivia and sends Cesario to give her love letters. But in turn, Olivia ends up falling in love with Cesario, who is actually Viola. Confusing, I know.7 June – 7 July 2023
Shakespeare in the Squares
shakespeareinthesquares.co.uk
Kipps, Minack Theatre
A rags to riches story, enjoy the show of Arthur Kipps who deals with questions of intellectual, moral, and emotional difficulties as he enters a new social standing and wealth. Arthur was an orphan and grew up as an ordinary young man that dreamed of a better future. One day, he unexpectedly inherited a fortune that put him in a new society. While this is something he thought would make his life better, he comes to find that wealth does not guarantee what he thought.29 May – 2 June 2023
Minack Theatre
minack.com
The Great Gatsby, Brighton Open Air Theatre
If you are looking to see an extravagant and tragic play, head on over to the Brighton Open Air Theatre for The Great Gatsby. I’m sure many of us know about this iconic book, play, and movie, but we are taken through the story of Jay Gatsby in his pursuit of Daisy Buchanan. Set in the jazz age, the self-made millionaire throws elaborate parties every Saturday to impress Daisy. While their love affair lasts for a bit, it is ultimately shown that it is unachievable. There are many deeper themes behind the play, such as power, justice, betrayal, and the American dream.20 July 2023
Brighton Open Air Theatre
brightonopenairtheatre.co.uk
Grease, The Hawth Crawley
Set in the ’50s, Grease is a fun musical with songs that will be added to your playlist. Follow the romances, friendships, and adventures of a high school friend group. The most successful movie musical is turned into a play that you can see at The Hawth Crawley this summer. Danny and Sandy spend the summer together in love, but when Danny realises that they will be attending the same high school in the fall, it complicates things. This jock doesn’t know if the social cliques can overlap, as Sandy is a wholesome exchange student.1-3 June 2023
The Hawth Crawley
parkwoodtheatres.co.uk
