OPEN AIR THEATRE ANNOUNCE FULL DETAILS OF ITS 70TH SEASON

OPEN AIR THEATRE ANNOUNCE FULL DETAILS OF ITS 70TH SEASON

The Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park, celebrates its 70th Anniversary in 2002 with two new Shakespeare productions, a classic modern musical and a new play for children.

Also celebrating its 40th Anniversary is the resident New Shakespeare Company.

There will also be a 70th Anniversary Gala Concert on Sunday 1st Sep at 8pm, hosted by Judi Dench to celebrate the Open Air Theatre and the famous musicals performed there over the years. Songs from 'Kiss Me Kate', 'Paint Your Wagon', 'The Boys from Syracuse' and many more.

The season runs in repertoire from 28th May to 7th September .
(Booking opens 2nd April 02)

Productions include.....

Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare, which opens on 5th June , following previews from 28th May 02, closes 5th Sep 02. It is directed by Dominic Hill and designed by Francis O'Connor. Set in the heat of a post-war Italian summer this tale fuses flowering sexuality with the devastating consequences of long-buried hatred.
(REP DATES: Eve perfs at 8pm on MAY 28, 29; JUNE 1,3,4,5,6,14,15,17,18,19,27,28,29; JULY 1,2,3,4,11,12,13,15,16; AUG 2,3,16,17,19,20,21; SEP 4,5
Mat perfs at 2.30pm: JUNE 1,6,15,19,27,29; JULY 3,4,11,13; AUG 3,17; SEP 5)

As You Like It, by William Shakespeare, which opens on 10th June , following previews from 30th May 02, closes 7th Sep 02. It is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh and designed by Francis O'Connor. Dukes and their daughters, comely maidens, shepherds and a clown play out their courtly games in the Forest of Arden.
(REP DATES: Eve perfs at 8pm on MAY 30, 31; JUNE 7,8,10,11,12,13,20,21,22,24,25,26; JULY 5,6,8,9,10,17,18,19,20; AUG 5,6,22,23,24,26,27; SEP 6,7
Mat perfs at 2.30pm: JUNE 8,13,20,22,26; JULY 6,18,20; AUG 22,24; SEP 7)

Oh What A Lovely War, musical by Joan Littlewood, which opens on 25th July , following previews from 23rd July 02, closes 3rd Sep 02. It is directed by Ian Talbot and designed byKit Surrey with choreography by Gillian Gregory. A chronicle of the horrors of the First World War, told through songs and original material from the time. The Master of Ceremonies leads a colourful cast through a series of darkly humourous and often moving scenes with songs including 'Keep the Home Fires Burning', 'It's a Long Way to Tipperary', and 'Goodbye-ee'.
(REP DATES: Eve perfs at 8pm on JULY 23,24,25,26,27,29,30,31; AUG 1,7,8,9,10,12,13,14,15,28,29,30,31; SEP 2,3
Mat perfs at 2.30pm: JULY 27; AUG 10,29,31)

Merlin the Magnificent, a children's play by Stuart Paterson, which opens on 31st July 02, closes 24th Aug 02. It is co -produced with Unicorn Theate for Children. It is directed by Tony Graham and designed by Russell Craig. Based on the legend of Merlin, the wizard in King Arthur's Medieval Court.
(REP DATES: perfs at 11am on AUG 3,10,17,24
perfs at 2.30pm on JULY 31; AUG 1,2,5,6,7,8,9,12,13,14,15,16,19,20,21,23)

Casting for all shows still to be confirmed!!