Casting announced for Pride and Prejudice

Benjamin Dilloway & Tafline Steen

Full casting has been announced for the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s production of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

Following its run in 2013, Pride and Prejudice is returning this year to conclude the 2016 summer season at the Open Air Theatre ahead of a major UK Tour in September. 

Opening at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley, the tour will then visit Norwich, Cambridge, Salford, Leicester, Woking, Truro, Birmingham and Richmond, with further dates in 2017. 

The show will star Matthew Kelly as Mr. Bennet, Tafline Steen as Elizabeth Bennet, Benjamin Dilloway as Mr. Darcy and Doña Croll as Lady Catherine De Bourgh.

Review: Jesus Christ Superstar at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

Jesus Christ Superstar 

Open Air Theatre

Reviewed on Thursday 21st July 2016

★★★★

Timothy Sheader and Drew McOnie have successfully reinvented one of my all-time favourite musicals. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's rock opera has been staged to give it the feel of a live gig; the whole experience certainly feels like an event, completed with simplistic yet highly effective design from Tom Scutt.

PICS: Rehearsals for Open Air Theatre's Jesus Christ Superstar

Rehearsal images have been released for Jesus Christ Superstar at the Open Air Theatre. The revival opens on 21st July (previews from 15th July) and runs until 27th August 2016. Check out the images below (click picture to enlarge).

The cast includes Declan Bennett as Jesus, Tyrone Huntley as Judas, Anoushka Lucas as Mary Magdelene, David Thaxton as Pilate, Cavin Cornwall as Caiaphas,Peter Caulfield as Herod, Phil King as Peter, Joel Harper-Jackson as Simon Zealotes and Sean Kingsley as Annas.

Completing the cast are Ashley Andrews, Will Barratt, Billy Cullum, Joshua Dever, Omari Douglas, Simon Hardwick, Raquel Jones, Bobbie Little, Sinead Long, Gloria Obianyo, Joseph Prouse, Charlotte Riby, Cameron Sharp, Barnaby Thompson, Rhys Whitfield, and The Soul Girls will be played by Genesis Lynea, Rosa O’Reilly and Shanay Holmes.

Review: Running Wild at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

Running Wild 
Regent's Park Open Air Theatre
Reviewed on Friday 20th May 2016
★★★

Following the closure of War Horse, it's wonderful to see another of Michael Morpurgo's novels brought to life on the London stage with tremendous creativity. 

Press Night Pics: Running Wild opens at the Open Air Theatre

Last night the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s production of  Michael Morpurgo’s  Running Wild celebrated its opening. Adapted by Samuel Adamson, Running Wild runs until 12th June 2016. Check out images from press night below (click image to enlarge).

The part of Will is shared between three young performers; Joshua Fernandes, Tyler Osborne and Ava Potter, who previously appeared as Scout in the Open Air Theatre’s production of To Kill a Mockingbird. Sharing the stage with the young performers are Hattie Ladbury as Mum/Geraldine, Ira Mandela Siobhan as Dad/Hunter, Eric Mallett as Grandad/Kaya, Joyce Henderson as Grandma, Stephen Ventura as Mr Anthony and Okorie Chukwu as Red Bandana/Mahout.

PICS: Sneak peek at Open Air Theatre’s Running Wild

Production images have been released for the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s production of  Michael Morpurgo’s  Running Wild. Adapted by Samuel Adamson, Running Wild opens on 19th May (previews from 13th May) and runs until 12th June 2016. Check out the images below (clicj picture to enlarge). 

The part of Will is shared between three young performers; Joshua Fernandes, Tyler Osborne and Ava Potter, who previously appeared as Scout in the Open Air Theatre’s production of To Kill a Mockingbird. Sharing the stage with the young performers are Hattie Ladbury as Mum/Geraldine, Ira Mandela Siobhan as Dad/Hunter, Eric Mallett as Grandad/Kaya, Joyce Henderson as Grandma, Stephen Ventura as Mr Anthony and Okorie Chukwu as Red Bandana/Mahout.

The puppeteers for the show include Laura Cubitt, Ben Thompson, Michael Taibi, John Leader, Sarah Mardel and Stuart Angell. Fred Davis and Romina Hytten make their professional debuts having been part of the Chichester Festival Youth Theatre production in 2015. The cast is completed by an ensemble of 57 young performers from the local community aged between 9 to 19, alternating performances in two groups, making this Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s largest ever production.

Full casting announced for Henry V at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Full casting has been announced for Henry V at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.

The show opens on 22nd June (previews from 13th May) and runs until 12th June 2016.

As previously announced, Michelle Terry plays the title role. With a wealth of Shakespearean roles to her credit, Terry is most noted for her numerous roles at The Globe, RSC and the National, as well as Privacy (Donmar Warehouse) and Before the Party (Almeida).

In 2011 she was awarded ‘Best Actress in a Supporting Role’ at the Olivier Awards for her portrayal of Sylvia in the Royal Court Theatre production of Tribes.

Casting announced for Running Wild at the Open Air Theatre

Casting has been announced for the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s production of  Michael Morpurgo’s  Running Wild.

Adapted by Samuel Adamson, Running Wild opens on 19th May (previews from 13th May) and runs until 12th June 2016.

The part of Will will be shared between three young performers; Joshua Fernandes, Tyler Osborne and Ava Potter, who previously appeared as Scout in the Open Air Theatre’s production of To Kill a Mockingbird.

Sharing the stage with the young performers are Hattie Ladbury as Mum/Geraldine, Ira Mandela Siobhan as Dad/Hunter, Eric Mallett as Grandad/Kaya, Joyce Henderson as Grandma, Stephen Ventura as Mr Anthony and Okorie Chukwu as Red Bandana/Mahout.

Declan Bennett to star in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Declan Bennett will star as Jesus in the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production of Jesus Christ Superstar. 

The revival opens on 21st July (previews from 15th July) and runs until 27th August 2016. 

Bennett originated the role of Guy in the West End production of Once (Phoenix/Dublin) and most recently appeared as Charlie Cotton in BBC’s EastEnders. His theatre credits also include: Taboo (Venue Theatre), RENT (U.S. tour) and American Idiot (Broadway).

Celebrating 45 years since the premiere of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical, Jesus Christ Superstar is directed by artistic director Timothy Sheader. Musical direction is by Tom Deering with design by Tom Scutt and choreography by Drew McOnie.

Open auditions announced for Jesus Christ Superstar

Open auditions have been announced for the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

Casting director Will Burton has revealed that open auditions will take place on Monday 25th January 2016 at the Open Air Theatre. 

Auditionees must be available between June and August 2016. The casting team are looking for "outstanding" rock, pop and soul voices who must *at least* be a mover.

Review: Seven Brides For Seven Brothers at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

Seven Brides For Seven Brothers

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

Reviewed on Thursday 23rd July 2015
★★★★

Picture this - you're out and about minding your own business, start chatting to a guy and end up marrying him a few hours later. It's all going swimmingly until you move into his house and discover he has six brothers and only married you because he needs someone to do the cooking and cleaning.

Production images released for Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

Production images have been released for Seven Brides for Seven Brothers which officially opens at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre tonight (23rd July) and runs until 29th August 2015. Check out the images below (click picture to enlarge).

Alex Gaumond and Laura Pitt-Pulford star as Adam and Milly, with the cast being completed by: Rosanna Bates, David Burrows, Angela Caesar, Matthew Clark, Leon Cooke, Eammon Cox, Jacob Fisher, Charlene Ford, Steve Fortune, Trevor Michael Georges, Bob Harms, Bethany Huckle, Frankie Jenna, James Leece, Phillip Marriot, Dylan Mason, Natasha Mould, Peter Nash, Sam O’Rourke, Ryan Pidgen, Adam Rhys-Charles, Karli Vale, Annie Wensak, Ed White and Emma Woods.

Rehearsal images released for Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

Rehearsal images have been released for Seven Brides for Seven Brothers which opens at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre on 23rd July (previews from 16th July) and runs until 29th August. Check out the images below (click picture to enlarge).

Alex Gaumond and Laura Pitt-Pulford star as Adam and Milly, with the cast being completed by: Rosanna Bates, David Burrows, Angela Caesar, Matthew Clark, Leon Cooke, Eammon Cox, Jacob Fisher, Charlene Ford, Steve Fortune, Trevor Michael Georges, Bob Harms, Bethany Huckle, Frankie Jenna, James Leece, Phillip Marriot, Dylan Mason, Natasha Mould, Peter Nash, Sam O’Rourke, Ryan Pidgen, Adam Rhys-Charles, Karli Vale, Annie Wensak, Ed White and Emma Woods.

Review: The Seagull at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

The Seagull
Regent's Park Open Air Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 24th June 2015
★★★★

Marking the 120th Anniversary of Chekhov’s iconic play, Torben Betts' newly commissioned adaptation of The Seagull works a treat. Betts hasn't attempted to overly modernise the play, his adaptation moves forwardly swiftly (particularly during the first act). Thankfully there is a lot of humour, without which The Seagull would be an utterly depressing experience.

Production images released for Open Air Theatre's The Seagull starring Janie Dee

Production images have been released for the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre's production of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull. Check out the pictures below (click image to enlarge).

Directed by Matthew Dunster, The Seagull opens tonight (24th June) and runs until 11th July. Celebrated as one of the most important plays of the nineteenth century, the Open Air Theatre have commissioned a new version by Torben Betts to mark the 120th Anniversary of Chekhov’s original play.

Janie Dee stars as Irina Arkadina alongside Sabrina Bartlett as Nina and Matthew Tennyson as Konstantin. The cast also includes Tara D’Arquian as Natasha, Lisa Diveney as Masha, Tom Greaves as Yakov, Colin Hoult as Simon Medviedenko, Fraser James as Ilia Shamraev, Lisa Palfrey as Paulina Andreevna, Ian Redford as Peter Sorin, Alex Robertson as Boris Trigorin and Danny Webb as Eugene Dorn.

Full casting announced for Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at the Open Air Theatre

Full casting has been announced for Seven Brides for Seven Brothers which opens at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre on 23rd July (previews from 16th July) and runs until 29th August.

Joining the previously announced Alex Gaumond as Adam and Laura Pitt-Pulford (pictured) as Millyare are: Rosanna Bates, David Burrows, Angela Caesar, Matthew Clark, Leon Cooke, Eammon Cox, Jacob Fisher, Charlene Ford, Steve Fortune, Trevor Michael Georges, Bob Harms, Bethany Huckle, Frankie Jenna, James Leece, Phillip Marriot, Dylan Mason, Natasha Mould, Peter Nash, Sam O’Rourke, Ryan Pidgen, Adam Rhys-Charles, Karli Vale, Annie Wensak, Ed White and Emma Woods.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh who reunites the creative team behind Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s award-winning production of The Sound of Music.

Rehearsal images released for Open Air Theatre's The Seagull starring Janie Dee

Rehearsal images have been released for the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre's production of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull. Check out the pictures below (click image to enlarge).

Directed by Matthew Dunster, The Seagull opens on 24th June (previews from 19th June) and runs until 11th July. Celebrated as one of the most important plays of the nineteenth century, the Open Air Theatre have commissioned a new version by Torben Betts to mark the 120th Anniversary of Chekhov’s original play.

Review: Peter Pan at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre​

Peter Pan 
Regent's Park Open Air Theatre​
Reviewed on Friday 22nd May 2015
★★★★★

Directed by Timothy Sheader and Liam Steel, Peter Pan is the best production I have ever seen at the Open Air Theatre. Beautifully complimented by the outdoor setting, Jon Bausor's design is stunningly creative, allowing audiences of all ages to use their imaginations.

Production images released for Peter Pan at the Open Air Theatre

Production images have been released for Peter Pan at the Open Air Theatre ahead of press night tomorrow (21st May 2015). Check out images below (click picture to enlarge).

Peter Pan runs at the Open Air Theatre until 14th June 2015. The production sees Timothy Sheader and Liam Steel rediscover J. M. Barrie’s original stage play. Hiran Abeysekera stars in the title role alongside David Birrell as Captain Hook, Beverly Rudd as Smee and George Bukhari as Nibs.

Open Air Theatre cancels first preview of Peter Pan

The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre have cancelled tonight's first preview (15th May) of Peter Pan. 

The performance has been cancelled as yesterday's rain delayed rehearsals. Ticket holders should contact their point of purchase.

The show opens to press on 21st May and runs until 14th June 2015. The production sees Timothy Sheader and Liam Steel rediscover J. M. Barrie’s original stage play. Hiran Abeysekera stars in the title role alongside David Birrell as Captain Hook, Beverly Rudd as Smee and George Bukhari as Nibs.