Regent's Park Open Air Theatre announces its 2024 summer season
We can't wait! ☀️
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre have announced its 2024 summer season! Here's everything you need to know:
The season will be opening with Twelfth Night (or What You Will) (3rd May – 8th June 2024). Shakespeare’s comedy of mistaken identities is directed by Owen Horsley set against the heat of the Mediterranean sun.
Playing during the daytime for those aged 4+ and their families is the new musical version of Roald Dahl’s picture book, The Enormous Crocodile (17th May – 8th June 2024), with book & lyrics by Suhayla El-Bushra, music by Ahmed Abdullahi Gallab and additional music and lyrics from Tom Brady. Developed and directed by Emily Lim, with co-direction and puppetry design by Toby Olié, the production comes to Regent’s Park following its successful 2023 Christmas season at Leeds Playhouse.
This is followed by the stage adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic story, The Secret Garden (15th June – 20th July 2024) in a new version by Holly Robinson and Anna Himali Howard, and directed by Howard.
The season concludes with Fiddler on the Roof (27th July – 21st September 2024), with book by Joseph Stein, music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. In a new production directed by Jordan Fein, this classic musical of joy, revolution and tradition features the glorious songs ‘If I Were A Rich Man’, ‘Tradition’ and ‘Matchmaker’.
Alongside the 2024 summer season, Regent’s Park also present the previously announced world premiere stage adaptation of Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman’s Bear Snores On (23rd March - 21st April 2024), with book by Cush Jumbo and Katy Sechiari, and music & lyrics by Harry Blake. The production, directed by Jumbo and Sechiari, marks Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s first ever show at the venue outside of its summer season, inviting audiences of 4+ and their families to travel from the theatre lawn to a new and specially created indoor pop-up space within the theatre grounds.
Full creative teams and casting for all productions to be announced. For more information you can head to the Open Air Theatre's website.
Have a look at more productions coming this year:
Standing at the Sky's Edge
Where: Gillian Lynne Theatre, London When: Closes August 2024
Following their win at the 2023 Olivier Awards, Sheffield Theatre's production of Standing at the Sky's Edge will transfer to the West End in 2024. The musical tells three interweaving stories across time all set in the Park Hill estate in Sheffield alongside the music of Richard Hawley.
Hadestown
Where: Lyric Theatre, London. When: From 10th February 2024
After becoming a smash on Broadway, Hadestown is returning to London for its West End debut. The production was last seen on this side of the Atlantic back in 2018 when it ran at the National Theatre.
Cruel Intentions: The 90's Musical
Where: the Other Palace theatre. When: January 2024 till May 2024
Based on the film of the same name, the show started off in New York then transferred to the Edinburgh Fringe festival with a sold out run. Featuring all the best 90's music!
Everybody's Talking About Jamie
Where: Peacock Theatre. When: 5th February.
The smash hit musical is back in the West End. Based on a true story, Jamie New is sixteen and lives on a council estate in Sheffield. Jamie doesn't quite fit in. Jamie is terrified about the future. Jamie is going to be a sensation!
Clueless The Musical
Where: Churchill Theatre Bromley. When: 12th February.
90's Beverly Hill is coming to the UK! Based on the film with the same name. Directed by Sarna Lapine (Sunday in the Park with George), Clueless The Musical features music by the multi-platinum singer-songwriter KT Tunstall, and lyrics by Grammy winner and three-time Tony nominee Glenn Slater (Sister Act The Musical, Tangled).
Bonnie & Clyde
Where: UK and Ireland tour. When: From 22nd February 2024
Following two runs in London, Bonnie & Clyde are hitting the road in 2024 starting with the Curve Theatre in Leicester.
Starter For Ten
Where: Bristol Old Vic, Bristol. When: 29th February to 30th March 2024
Based on the David Nicholls' novel and the HBO/Playtone film adaptation, the musical Starter For Ten will be getting its world premiere in Bristol in 2024. This tale of love, class and growing up in the 1980s is set in Bristol against the backdrop of the legendary British quiz show University Challenge.
MJ The Musical
Where: Prince Edward Theatre, London. When: 6th March 2024
The jukebox musical inspired by the making of Michael Jackson's 1992 Dangerous World tour has been a smash on Broadway and will be crossing the pond in 2024. MJ The Musical will star Tony Award winner Myles Frost in the titular role, having originated it in New York.
Opening Night
Where: Gielgud Theatre. When: 6th March – 27th July.
Starring Sheridan Smith this is a new musical based on a theatre company who are preparing to stage a play on Broadway.
Sister Act
Where: Dominion Theatre. When: March 2024.
Another musical based on a film the smash-hit musical is back! Starring the Olivier award winner Beverley Knight, our very own Lemar, Alexandra Burke and Ruth Jones the all star cast will be bringing the gospel to the West End!
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Where: UK tour. When: From 30th April 2024
Based on the books by James Bond author Ian Fleming and its 1968 film adaptation a new production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will be flying across the UK in 2024.
Kiss Me, Kate
Where: The Barbican. When: 4th June till 14th September 2024.
It's a sophisticated, ferociously funny, show within a show – which whisks you into a world of backstage chaos and romantic entanglements as a theatre company attempt to put on a production of Shakespeare's 'The Taming of the Shrew'. The battle of the sexes takes centre stage as former spouses feud, only to find the off-stage antics rival the drama on-stage. Throw in a number of cases of mistaken identity, confused love, gangsters and a spectacular tap routine and you get Kiss Me, Kate.
Burlesque The Musical
Where: Manchester Opera House. When: 13th June.
Burlesque the Musical has a book by Steven Antin, with additional material by Kate Wetherhead. The music and lyrics are by Christina Aguilera, Sia, Diane Warren, Todrick Hall & Jess Folley.
Next To Normal
Where: Wyndham's Theatre. When: 18th June.
The hit Donmar Wearhouse production of the Broadway musical gets a West End transfer. Directed by Michael Longhurst, this powerful rock musical takes audiences into the minds and hearts of each character, presenting their family's story with love, sympathy and heart.
Starlight Express
Where: Troubadour Wembley park When: June 2024.
The iconic musical from Andrew Lloyd Webber is coming back to London! The roller-skating fast moving musical will be showing at the Wembley with an extended run due to high demand! The story follows a children's train set coming to life.
Hello Dolly!
Where: London Palladium. When: 6th July.
Winner of four Tony Awards and the critically acclaimed Broadway musical is back in the West End. Staring Olivier award and BAFTA Award winning Imelda Staunton. Say Hello Dolly!
Shrek The Musical
Where: Eventim Apollo. When: 19th July.
The musical is back in the West End. Based on the hit film series the musical features Antony Lawrence (The Lion King, Mary Poppins, Matilda the Musical) as Shrek, with Strictly Come Dancing star Joanne Clifton (The Addams Family) as Princess Fiona
A Chorus line
Where: Sadler's Wells Theatre. When: July 2024.
The smash hit Broadway production Known for its stellar choreography and snappy songs celebrating theatre and the stories behind it.
The Devil wears Prada The Musical
Where: Dominion Theatre. When: October 2024.
Yet another musical based on a film! Groundbreaking. Headed by Elton John the plot will follow closely to the film with this musical being in the works since 2017!
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Where: Ambassadors Theatre When: October 2024 The foot-stomping new musical, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button will transfer to the West End's Ambassadors Theatre from Thursday 10th October 2024. The production captured hearts last year with its sold-out Southwark Playhouse run - winning Best Musical Theatre Production at the 2024 Off West End Awards.
Only Fools and Horses The Musical
Where: Eventim Apollo. When: 17th December.
Lovely jubbly! The English classic has its own musical and its back! Based on the BBC comedy with the Trotters of Peckham are brought to life once again through an ingenious and hilarious original score.
Shucked
Where: London (Venue TBC) When: 2024
The new comedy musical about corn that's taking Broadway by storm is set to cross the Atlantic in 2024. While most details are yet to be announced, we know that producer Cameron Mackintosh is set to have Shucked open in one of his West End theatres in 2024.
Bronco Billy The Musical
Where: Charing Cross Theatre. When: Jan 2024.
Based on the hit film starring Clint Eastwood the musical follows a group of romantic fast-drawing, trick-riding, disco-dancing Wild West roustabouts and their travelling show, but things take an unexpected turn when Bronco Billy (leader of this rag-tag troupe) meets Antoinette Lilly, a determined Manhattan heiress on the run for her life. Starring Emily Benjamin who appeared as an alternate Sally Bowles in Cabaret.
Just For One Day
Where: The Old Vic. When: 26th January – 30th March.
Based on the worlds most famous concert Band Aid this musical tells the story of how this epic concert brought so many people together and how Rock 'n' Roll changed the world. Featuring songs from Queen, U2, The Who, Elton John and many more.
Calendar Girls
Where: The Lowry When: Tuesday 16th to Saturday 20th January.
Calendar Girls follows a group of extraordinary women in a small Yorkshire Women's Institute, prompted to create a nude calendar following the death of a much-loved husband, to raise funds for charity.
Read more:
Back To The Future the Musical extends booking
All the details we know so far about Disney's upcoming live-action remakes