The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre has confirmed its summer programme, offering visitors everything from Arthur Miller’s macabre The Crucible to a modern reworking of Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors.

The beguiling location is set amid one of London’s most famous parks and is sure to prove a hit with visitors from around the world.

Opening the season, Timothy Sheader directs Patrick O’Kane and Emma Cunniffe as John and Elizabeth Proctor in The Crucible. A staple of the American canon, the piece utilizes the Salem witch trials to reexamine the impact of McCarthyism on the Unite States during the early 1950s.

Emily Taaffe plays Abigail while Oliver Ford-Davies takes up the role of Danforth in what is perhaps Miller’s best known play.

The production runs until June 19th.

The Comedy of Errors

One of Shakespeare’s earliest plays, The Comedy of Errors returns to the theatre after fourteen years, directed by Philip Franks. A story of mistaken identity, the new production is set in 1940’s Casablanca and plays from June 24th until July 31st.

The young and vibrant cast is led by Daniel Weyman as Antipholus of Syracuse alongside Daniel Llewelyn-Williams as Antipholus of Ephesus. Jo Herbert plays his wife Adriana, while Anna-Jane Casey fronts a live swing band in the role of Courtesan. 

Arthur Miller’s The Crucible at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Macbeth

Following the 2009 production of The Tempest, newly appointed artistic director of Soho Theatre Steve Marmion directs Macbeth - re-imagined for everyone aged six and over. 

This is the third year the theatre has presented a Shakespeare play staged especially for family audiences using the original language and text.

Playing from July 3rd - 31st, the cast includes Trevor White as Macbeth, Golda Rosheuvel as Lady Macbeth, Simon Trinder as Macduff and Josephine Butler as Banquo.

For the second year running, there will be a Saturday morning performance and two performances on a Sunday to provide more opportunities for the whole family to share the experience together.

Into the Woods

Finally, celebrating Stephen Sondheim’s 80th birthday, the season closes with his 1987 musical Into the Woods co-directed by Timothy Sheader and Liam Steel. Perfectly placed within the Open Air Theatre amphitheatre, the stories of the Brothers Grimm are given a dark and humorous twist.

Hannah Waddingham plays the Witch with Jenna Russell as the Baker’s Wife and Helen Dallimore as Cinderella. 

Booking is now open with more information at the website.