Regent's Park Open Air Theatre - 2016 Season
Season preview
REGENT’S Park Open Air Theatre has announced its 2016 season and it includes Shakespeare’s Henry V, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Jesus Christ Superstar and Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
However, the season opens with Samuel Adamson’s stage adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s Running Wild, which plays from May 13 to June 12.
For Will and his mother, going to Indonesia isn’t just a holiday. It’s a new start, and the chance for Will to ride an elephant called Oona. But then the tsunami hit. Charging deep into the jungle Oona escapes the beach, but with her rider still clinging on, Will must now learn to survive the rainforest – and he is not alone.
Running Wild is story of love, loss, loyalty and of living for the moment.
Timothy Sheader and original Chichester director Dale Rooks direct, with puppetry design and direction by Finn Caldwell and Toby Olié, both previous Associate Puppetry Directors on War Horse.
Running Wild is followed – from June 17 to July 9 – by William Shakespeare’s Henry V.
As England triumphs at the Battle of Agincourt during her quest to win the French crown, Henry V becomes one of the great warrior kings leading “we happy few, we band of brothers “ in Shakespeare’s retelling of this famous victory.
Celebrating the lasting legacy of Shakespeare in the 400th anniversary year of his death, Henry V is directed by Donmar Warehouse Associate Director, Robert Hastie.
The third production is Jesus Christ Superstar. With lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, it runs from July 15 to August 27.
Celebrating 45 years since Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s seminal musical first hit the stage, Jesus Christ Superstar returns to London in a powerful new production directed by Timothy Sheader. Musical direction is by Tom Deering and choreography by Drew McOnie.
Jesus Christ Superstar focuses on the days leading up to the crucifixion of Christ and features well known musical numbers such as I Don’t Know How to Love Him, Gethsemane and Superstar.
The season concludes with Simon Reade’s adaption of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, which runs from September 2 to September 17.
As the Bennet sisters haplessly search for love in Jane Austen’s ultimate romantic comedy, it is Mr Darcy who unwittingly finds his match.
Prior to a UK tour, Pride and Prejudice returns to the Open Air Theatre following a sell-out run in 2013. Deborah Bruce directs.
For more information, including booking details, visit openairtheatre.com/.