Regent's Park Open Air Theatre London
Regent's Park Open Air Theatre Tickets
About the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre
Regent's Park Open Air Theatre was founded in 1932 by actor, director and producer duo Robert Atkins and Sydney Carroll. During its early years, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre attracted some of the biggest names in the arts, including George Bernard Shaw, who wrote The Six of Calais specifically for the venue.
As World War II caused many of London's theatres to shut their doors for much of the period, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre was one of only two London theatres that remained open for the entire duration of the war. In 2000, a £2 million refurbishment project commenced overhauling the auditorium and front-of-house areas of the venue, including the building of the Robert Atkins Studio. A further £3.3 million redevelopment was completed in 2012, coinciding with the theatre's 80th anniversary.
In 2005, Timothy Sheader was appointed artistic director and has since staged some of the theatre's most commercially successful works, including blockbuster productions of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita, Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods, and stage adaptations of classic novels To Kill a Mockingbird and Lord of the Flies.
Plan Your Visit
Regent's Park Open Air Theatre opens approximately 90 minutes before the show is due to start. The theatre is located in a royal park with limited signposting and is a walk from nearby public transport links, so patrons are encouraged to leave plenty of time to get to the venue.
No, there isn't a specific dress code for shows at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, however as the venue is open to the elements, you should dress appropriately for all types of weather during the British summer. Jumpers and raincoats are encouraged, as well as sunscreen, as the performance will continue regardless of the weather unless it becomes unsafe to do so.
Cloakroom facilities are not available at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Only one bag (maximum size: 36cm x 30cm x 50cm) per person is allowed into the venue and patrons must keep their belongings with them at all times.
Security staff will be conducting checks on all bags and tickets as you enter Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. In order to avoid long queues to enter the venue, patrons are encouraged to arrive early.
There are several on-site dining options available to ticketholders, including a set menu on the Covered Dining Terrace, burgers served at The Grill and pre-bookable picnic options. The bar serves a wide range of alcoholic and soft drinks, alongside cold sandwiches and snacks. Food is served until 15 minutes before the performance is due to start and the bar will stop taking drink orders 5 minutes prior to the performance to ensure a timely start. Food cannot be taken into the auditorium.
There are several dining options within Regent's Park, including the nearby Regent's Bar & Kitchen, which is just a couple of minutes walk from the theatre and serves freshly made salads, pizzas and a range of sweet treats. In the summer, weather permitting, guests can enjoy an outdoor BBQ, serving burgers, hot dogs and ice-cold Pimms! Alternatively, there are many chain restaurants in the Baker Street area, including PizzaExpress, Itsu and Nando's, which is around a 15-minute walk to the theatre.
The Holiday Inn Regent's Park is a good option for those on a budget and is a 15-minute walk from the theatre. To make your visit to Regent's Park Open Air Theatre extra special, consider a stay at The Landmark, which is a 10-minute walk away. This five-star hotel boasts its own spa, pool and excellent amenities and is perfectly located for exploring London.
Regent's Park Open Air Theatre was founded in 1932 by actor and producers Robert Atkins and Sydney Carroll and is the oldest, permanent, professional outdoor theatre in the UK. The theatre was only of only two, along with the Windmill Theatre, to remain open for the duration of World War II. Regent's Park Open Air Theatre is a registered charity and has been run by artistic director Timothy Sheader since 2005. Many of its productions have transferred to the West End and enjoyed international success including Into the Woods, Jesus Christ Superstar and Lord of the Flies.
Help Booking Tickets
Tickets are held at the box office for collection on the day of your performance. Patrons should bring their confirmation email and original payment card with them to collect. Queues can occur during busy periods, so ensure you allow plenty of time.
The box office at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre opens 11am-8pm Monday-Saturday.
The box office team at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre can be contacted directly by calling 0333 400 3562.
STAR (Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers) are the industry body that regulates the sale of London theatre tickets. When booking from a company you can check their ticket seller database to see if they are registered and conforming to STAR practices. When buying online, you should also check for the padlock in your browser URL bar to ensure the connection is secure.
Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's rehearsal rooms and studios can be hired out for private use. For more information and pricing, please contact cat.gray@openairtheatre.com.
