Regent's Park Open Air Theatre announce their 2021 season
The outdoor theatre has something for everyone
Last updated 8th Apr 2021
London's iconic Regent's Park Open Air Theatre have announced the lineup for their 2021 season. Due to the nature of the theatre they were able to be the first theatre to re-open last summer with safety measures put in place. The same safety measures will be in place at the theatre this year for as long as necessary, including an initial 50% reduction to their seating.
The season begins with a production of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare which will have an extended run from 17th June to the 24th July. The production will be directed by Kimberley Sykes, who's previous credits include work with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Bolton Octagon, and the Box Clever Theatre Company.
Following Romeo & Juliet, there will be a production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel, which will run from 30th July to 25th September. Carousel is based on a play called Liliom by Ferenc Molnár, and tells the story of a carnival barker called Billy Bigelow who falls in love with Julie Jordan, a mill worker. But when the romance costs the pair their jobs, things start to turn south.
The iconic musical features some beloved musical theatre classics such as 'Mister Snow', 'If I Loved You' and the legendary 'You'll Never Walk Alone'. The musical will be directed by the Open Air Theatre's Artistic Director, Timothy Shears.
Also in the season will be two productions for ages three and up, Anansi the Spider by Justin Audibert, running from 7th to 24th July (including a relaxed performance on 16th July), and Dragons and Mythical Beasts by Derek Bond which will run from 13th August to 5th September.
There will be additional events taking place including comedy nights from Luisa Omielan, Aisling Bea, and Jimmy Carr, and movie screenings of Moulin Rouge (2001) and The Shining (1980). Additionally there will be an all-star charity comedy night, Canned Laughter, in aid of the Trussell Trust.
For tickets you can call the box office on 0333 400 3562 or visit the Open Air Theatre website.
These shows will be opening this year:
The Mousetrap
Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap opened as soon as theatres were allowed to on 17th May continuing their record breaking run.
Everybody's Talking About Jamie
After managing to open for a matter of days back in late 2020, Everybody's Talking About Jamie was one of the first West End musicals to bounce back with socially distanced performances starting from May 20th.
The West End cast have taken their final bow for 2021 but the show will return next year and is currently on a UK tour!
Les Misérables
The West End's longest running musical is back! The full production of Les Misérables is back at the Sondheim theatre.
Amélie The Musical
The critically acclaimed production of Amélie the Musical returned to London at the Criterion Theatre on the 20th May and ran until the end of September.
Six
Six the musical returned to the Lyric theatre on the 21st May. The run at the Lyric will last until the 29th August. The musical has now moved to the Vaudeville Theatre on the Strand.
Regent's Park Open Air Theatre
The iconic Regent's Park Open Air Theatre returned with their 2021 season. Romeo and Juliet ran from 17 June - 24 July, and Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel ran from 30 July - 25 September.
Hairspray
The long awaited revival of Hairspray starring Michael Ball and Marisha Wallace opened at the London Coliseum on the 22nd June and ran until the end of September.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cinderella
Performances of Andrew Lloyd Webber's new adaptation of Cinderella began on 25th June.
Be More Chill
The cult hit, Be More Chill, returned to London for a ten week run at the Shaftesbury Theatre on 30th June and closed on 5th September.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
The hit revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat starring Jac Yarrow, Jason Donovan, and Alexandra Burke. opened at the London Palladium on 12th July and ran until 5th September.
The show is heading on tour next year!
The Prince of Egypt
DreamWorks' The Prince of Egypt with music and lyrics by Wicked's Stephen Schwartz returned to the Dominion theatre on 1st July.
Pretty Woman: The Musical
Based on the hit 1990 film of the same name, Pretty Woman: The Musical opened on 8th July at their new home, the Savoy Theatre.
Come From Away
The Olivier Award-winning Come From Away returned to the Phoenix Theatre on 22nd July.
Anything Goes
Cole Porter and P.G. Woodhouse's Anything Goes opened at the Barbican Theatre on the 23rd July and ran through until October. The show is set to return to the venue next summer.
TINA: The Tina Turner Musical
TINA - The Tina Turner Musical which is based on the life of yes, you guessed it, Tina Turner, is back at the Aldwych Theatre.
Jersey Boys
The Jersey Boys have returned to London with a production at the Trafalgar Theatre.
The Lion King
Disney's The Lion King is back at London's Lyceum Theatre.
Phantom of the Opera
Despite earlier concerns, the iconic Phantom of the Opera isn't going anywhere. Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic musical is back at Her Majesty's Theatre!
Mary Poppins
The musical that is practically perfect in every way, Mary Poppins re-opened at the Prince Edward Theatre on the 7th August.
Hamilton
Lin-Manuel Miranda's legendary musical, Hamilton is waiting in the wings for you once again now they're back at the Victoria Palace Theatre.
Back to the Future The Musical
After a brief stint in Manchester at the start of last year, Back to the Future The Musical made its way to London's Adelphi Theatre at 88mph since the 20th August 2021!
Mamma Mia!
The iconic jukebox musical, Mamma Mia! with the hit songs of ABBA, is back at the Novello Theatre!
Frozen the Musical
Frozen the Musical had its West End debut at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on the 27th August with Samantha Barks starring as Elsa.
Wicked
The legendary story of the witches of Oz, Wicked re-opened at London's Apollo Victoria on 15th September.
Matilda the Musical
The RSC stage adaption of Matilda by Roald Dahl with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin returned to the Cambridge Theatre on 16th September.
The Last Five Years
After a hit run at the Southwark Playhouse, The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown opened at the Garrick Theatre and ran from 17th September to 13th October.
& Juliet
With a score built on some of Max Martin's greatest hits, & Juliet explores what would happen if Juliet's famous ending was really just her beginning. & Juliet returned to the Shaftesbury Theatre on the 24th September.
Only Fools and Horses
The musical adaptation of the beloved British classic, Only Fools and Horses resumed their run at the Theatre Royal Haymarket on 1st October.
Dear Evan Hansen
The award-winning Dear Evan Hansen returned to the Noël Coward Theatre on 26th October.
The Choir of Man
The Choir of Man made their West End debut at the Arts Theatre on 29th October.
The Drifter Girl
Beverley Knight stars as the legendary Faye Treadwell in The Drifters Girl which opened at the Garrick Theatre on 4th November.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical
The stage adaptation of Moulin Rouge! The Musical opened at the Piccadilly Theatre on 12th November.
Cabaret
A new revival of Kander & Ebb's Cabaret starring Eddie Redmayne and Jessie Buckley opened at the Kit Kat Club in London on 15th November.
The Book of Mormon
Matt Stone, Trey Parker and Robert Lopez's The Book of Mormon returned to London's Prince of Wales Theatre on 15th November.
Heathers the Musical
Heathers the Musical returned to the Theatre Royal Haymarket this summer for a 12 week run but that was far from the end. The Heathers headed back to The Other Palace on 25th November.
Hex
The National Theatre's new twist on Sleeping Beauty, Hex began performances at the Olivier Theatre from 4th December.
Read more:
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