DOLLY! Breaks Records at Regent's Park; CRUCIBLE; A COMEDY OF ERRORS; MACBETH & INTO THE WOODS Coming 2010

The Regent's Park Open Air Theatre production of Hello, Dolly!, directed by Timothy Sheader, has become not only one of the critically acclaimed successes of the year, but also the highest grossing production in the history of the theatre. The production runs until this Saturday, 12 September.

This triumphant close to another record-breaking season under the artistic directorship of Timothy Sheader follows productions of Much Ado About Nothing, Liam Steel's robust and enchanting production of The Tempest - re-imagined for ages 6 and above, and The Importance of Being Earnest. As the first non-Shakespeare play to be programmed at the park in recent history, Irina Brown's production of Wilde's classic played to 96.5% of capacity, breaking all attendance records at the 1240 seat venue. Additionally, 2009 has seen over 13,500 school children introduced to the works of Shakespeare and Wilde in the magical surroundings of the park.

The Open Air Theatre team has already started work on the 2010 season and announces today the productions that will make up Sheader's third season at the park - one of witches, woods and mistaken identity. As part of the ongoing expansion of the venue's repertoire, and capitalising on the park's unique environment, The Crucible will be the first production, playing from 24 May to 19 June, 2010. Sheader will direct Arthur Miller's thriller, based on the events that led to the Salem witch trials.

Families and school children will be transported to Burnham wood as Macbeth is re-imagined for audiences aged 6 and over. The Scottish play will be performed in rep for 4 weeks from 3 July, 2010 including two performances on Sundays.

Making a welcome return to the Open Air Theatre after 14 years is Shakespeare's most hilarious play A Comedy of Errors, which will be performed from 24 June to 31 July, 2010.

Ending the season will be Sheader's production of Stephen Sondheim's musical Into The Woods, playing from 5 August to 11 September, 2010.

Priority booking opens on 10 November 2009 for Members; public bookings open on 1 December 2009. ­Join the Members scheme now from £15 at www.openairtheatre.com.

 

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