Established in 1932, the multi-award-winning Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is one of the largest theatres in London (1,304 seats) and situated in the beautiful surroundings of a Royal Park. Passionate about producing popular, enriching and unexpected theatre that provides a lens into the here and now, the scale and ambition of our productions together with our magical outdoor setting, makes us unique in the capital’s cultural landscape. In 2024 we welcomed over 180,000 people to our 27-week summer season.
In January 2024, Drew McOnie assumed the role of Artistic Director, taking over from Tim Sheader, and will programme the 2025 season onwards. James Pidgeon was appointed Executive Director in 2021.
Over the last twelve years, our productions have won seven Olivier Awards, seven WhatsOnStage Awards, and four Evening Standard Awards. We were named London Theatre of the Year in 2017 by The Stage, and received the Highly Commended Award for London Theatre of the Year in 2021. Our productions have toured the UK, and have transferred to both the West End and the United States. Our 2016 revival of Jesus Christ Superstar finished tours of both the UK and North America in 2024, and has recently commenced a tour of Australia.
As a registered charity that receives no regular public subsidy, we rely entirely on earned income and charitable contributions. Nevertheless, we introduced 33,000 tickets at £15 across the whole of 2024’s summer season and we regularly work with local charities. Each year, on average, we subsidise tickets for 6,000 school pupils.
Food and drink plays a significant role in the Open Air Theatre experience, with our in-house bars and restaurants including Covered Dining (recently certified as a Sustainably Run Restaurant), The Grill and The Pizza Oven. We also have our own picnic lawn and the West End’s longest bar!
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre has become one of the most independently sustainable and financially successful producing theatres in the country, and we’re proud to embark on the next stage of our vision with ever-increasing artistic ambition and entrepreneurial spirit.
VISION, MISSION, GUIDING VALUES
Vision
To help people make sense of the world under a shared sky.
Misson
Celebrating our unique and experiential outdoor setting, we create popular, enriching and unexpected theatre that provides a lens into the here and now.
Guiding values
Ambitious
Open
Independent
Connected
Joyful
Underlying Principles
Equity, diversity & inclusion
We are committed to championing diversity, equity and accessibility in everything we do, embracing difference and individuality with respect and an inclusive approach to ensure everyone feels valued and welcome.
Environmental sustainability
The collision between art and environment is what makes our work unique; our relationship with the planet is front and centre. Recognising the climate crisis, we are committed to reducing our environmental impact and to finding ways to adapt and respond to ever-changing weather patterns.
History & heritage
We are committed to building on our foundations as the oldest, professional, permanent outdoor theatre in the UK.
Civic responsibility
We are committed to developing opportunities to collaborate with local authorities, schools, community groups, grassroots organisations and other charities to remain locally engaged and effective.
