16 Jun 2008
A chill breeze swept through the Open Air theatre during Friday’s press night; not quite the shipwreck-inducing howling gale of Twelfth Night’s opening, but enough to encourage tightening of coats, writes Matthew Amer. Read more
Showing at: Open Air Theatre
Box Office: 0844 826 4242
Age: General
Genre: Play
Sub Genre: Play (Comedy)
Separated in a shipwreck from her twin brother and believing him dead, Viola disguises herself as a boy and is employed by Count Orsino to woo the reluctant Lady Olivia. Olivia is indeed finally awoken from her own grief by a new love, but for the servant and not the master, whilst Viola herself has fallen head over heels for the Count.
Shakespeare’s comedy of mistaken identities, unrequited love, trickery and drunken revelling was the first play ever staged at the Open Air Theatre in 1932. Edward Dick directs this new production.
For more information read our First Night Feature.
show times: Various - please check with theatre for dates and times
ticket prices: £10-£42
sign language interpreted performance: By Sign Language International on Wed 2 Jul at 14:30 (followed by post-show talk) & 20:00 T: 0844 826 4242 E: boxoffice@openairtheatre.org
cast: Natalie Dew, Marcello Walton, Oscar Pearce, Ben Ingles, Leon Williams, Harry Myers, Tim Woodward, Claire Benedict, Clive Hayward, Clive Rowe, Janie Dee, Richard O'Callaghan, Andy Cryer, Jennifer Bryden, Annalisa Rossi, Richard Cotton, Neet Mohan, Harry Myers, David Whitworth
director: Edward Dick
set designer: Robert Innes Hopkins
costume: Fotini Dimou
map: View Map
address: Regents Park, London, United Kingdom, NW1 4NR
nearest tube: Baker Street
nearest bus: 13, 18, 27, 30, 74, 82, 113, 139, 189, 274
parking: The Inner Circle nearby has spaces designated for disabled patrons and there is ample room for minibuses and ambulances to park.
air conditioned: Yes
Access Booking: Tel: 0844 826 4242 Fax: 020 7487 4562
discounts: £10 seats for disabled access.
limited mobility: Patrons with limited mobility are welcome to use our accessible seating on row J. There are also several rows which involve only one or two steps to access the seating.
access description: The main entrance to the theatre is through Queen’s Mary’s gardens and is completely level. There is also a more direct entrance through the Theatre Exit Gate which patrons requiring assistance with access are welcome to use. The main entrance is immediately adjacent to the box office. Through the gate you follow a gentle slope with a handrail. The auditorium entrances are opposite and you enter directly onto the theatre’s accessible row with discounted seats for qualifying patrons. The Theatre Exit Gate is immediately off the Inner Circle Road. There is a ramp up to the gate where a member of staff is on hand to assist. Once in the venue’s grounds there is a gently sloped path upwards with the auditorium at the top on your left hand side. Again, you enter the auditorium directly onto the theatre’s access row. Should you require help, the box office staff are on hand to collect tickets on your behalf. The auditorium consists of two tiers. The lower tear has shallow steps which are easier to negotiate than the Upper Tier. Please be aware that the Upper Tier has steeper steps and doesn’t have any handrail support. All patrons need to exit through the Theatre Exit Gate as The Royal Parks lock Queen Mary’s Gardens during the evening performance.
hearing impaired: Radio-signal system.
guide dogs policy: Guide dogs are welcome and bowls of water can be provided.
wheelchairs: The theatre is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility. There is a slight slope up into the theatre and all wheelchair seating (38 spaces) is on the level of entrance into the theatre. The wheelchair is then backed into the designated area and patrons will then have an unobstructed view of the stage. Transfer seats are also available.
toilets: Large Men's and Women's opposite bar.
disabled toilets: Adapted loos are to the left of the box office entrance as you enter the theatre or to the right as you exit the theatre.
legroom: Access guides, large print programmes, talking programmes on request.
food: Tea and cake can be booked in advance for matinee performances and priority suppers can be booked in advance for evening performances. There is also a bar, buffet and barbeque located on site which patrons can select a variety of cocktails, salads, and burgers from.
Clive Rowe as Feste in Twelfth Night (photo: Alistair Muir)
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