The Independent newspaper cites Changeling as your ‘best ticket’ to outdoor theatre this Summer!
In an article exploring the appeal of outdoor theatre, including productions by the ever popular Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, the Independent speaks to our artistic director Rob Forknall about why audiences find Shakespeare in the open air so appealing:
“Of course, it’s bonkers to do outdoor Shakespeare in Britain where we get two days of sun followed by unexpected thunderstorms. It is always a gamble – definitely part of the appeal is that it’s so exciting when you get away with it – but crucially outdoor theatre is also event theatre. If we toured All’s Well around conventional theatres, I don’t think it would be nearly as popular, but because we’re going to beautiful outdoor locations, people want to come.
“Outside theatre isn’t formal. Audiences don’t feel the weight of expectation that they sometimes associate with Shakespeare. Instead, they go for a brilliant night out at a beautiful location, they bring their deck chairs, sit wherever they like, drink champagne. But they are still very invested in the plays; outdoor settings are surprisingly intimate. Every year the audiences laugh and they cry”.
Read the full Independent article here.