Anansi the Spider (2026)

A Unicorn Theatre and Regent's Park Open Air Theatre Production


People say that in a time long, long ago, animals walked on two feet and spoke with words, like we do. And back then, everyone knew that the cleverest of all the animals in the kingdom was a spider – the infamous Anansi – the original trickster and the master spinner of yarns.

But sometimes Anansi could be a little too clever for his own good…

Following sold-out runs at the Unicorn Theatre in 2023 and 2025, these classic West African and Caribbean folk tales about the mischievous spider who triumphs over larger foes are brought vividly to life by Unicorn Associate Director Robin Belfield.

The show takes place on the theatre lawn. All you will need is a blanket to sit on and a curious heart.


Originally produced by the Unicorn Theatre and Birmingham Rep in 2025/2026

General information

15 August - 06 September 2026

Location

Picnic Lawn

Times

Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun: 10.30am & 2pm

Sat: 10.15am

Age Guidance

Age guidance 4+. Under 4's are permitted but everyone aged two and over must have their own ticket. It remains the responsibility of the parent/guardian in advance of purchase to make their own judgement as to the suitability of the show for their child.

Reviews

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆

Superlative family theatre is pure joy and delight

The Stage

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆

I cannot recommend this show enough. It was a pleasure to watch as a parent and a delight for my little one.

Afridiziak

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆

We'll be back for sure. Aren't we all a bit Anansi?

Sadie Takes The Stage

GALLERY & MEDIA

Three woman stand under a tree. One clutches a pot, one holds a drum, and the final one holds a stick. This is from the 2026 production of Anansi the Spider at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Photography by Tyler Fayose.
Three women stand in a triangle formation under a tree. This is from the 2026 production of Anansi the Spider at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Photography by Tyler Fayose.
Three women stand in a triangle formation under a tree. This is from the 2026 production of Anansi the Spider at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Photography by Tyler Fayose.
Three women stand in a line with their arms out, forming the multiple hands of a spider. This is from the 2026 production of Anansi the Spider at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Photography by Tyler Fayose.
A woman in a headscarf holds one finger up to her lips conspiratorially as she hugs a pot to her stomach. This is from the 2026 production of Anansi the Spider at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Photography by Tyler Fayose.
A woman in a headscarf climbs a tree. This is from the 2026 production of Anansi the Spider at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Photography by Tyler Fayose.
A woman in a headscarf performs to an audience of small children. This is from the 2026 production of Anansi the Spider at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Photography by Tyler Fayose.
A woman in a headscarf performs to an audience of small children under a tree. This is from the 2026 production of Anansi the Spider at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Photography by Tyler Fayose.
A woman stretches happily. This is from the 2026 production of Anansi the Spider at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Photography by Tyler Fayose.
Two women dance and point at each other. This is from the 2026 production of Anansi the Spider at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Photography by Tyler Fayose.
A woman is mid-shout whilst two women listen in the background. This is from the 2026 production of Anansi the Spider at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Photography by Tyler Fayose.
A haughty woman in a headscarf, wrapped in a richly coloured and patterned cloth. This is from the 2026 production of Anansi the Spider at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Photography by Tyler Fayose.
A woman in a headscarf turns her head up to the sun. This is from the 2026 production of Anansi the Spider at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Photography by Tyler Fayose.
A woman in a headscarf cradles a pot that is tied around her stomach with a patterned sash. This is from the 2026 production of Anansi the Spider at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Photography by Tyler Fayose.
A woman in a headscarf leans over a big metal pot and mimes eating heartily. This is from the 2026 production of Anansi the Spider at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Photography by Tyler Fayose.
Three woman stand under a tree. One clutches a pot, one holds a drum, and the final one holds a stick. This is from the 2026 production of Anansi the Spider at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Photography by Tyler Fayose.
Three women stand in a triangle formation under a tree. This is from the 2026 production of Anansi the Spider at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Photography by Tyler Fayose.
Three women stand in a triangle formation under a tree. This is from the 2026 production of Anansi the Spider at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Photography by Tyler Fayose.
Three women stand in a line with their arms out, forming the multiple hands of a spider. This is from the 2026 production of Anansi the Spider at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Photography by Tyler Fayose.
A woman in a headscarf holds one finger up to her lips conspiratorially as she hugs a pot to her stomach. This is from the 2026 production of Anansi the Spider at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Photography by Tyler Fayose.
A woman in a headscarf climbs a tree. This is from the 2026 production of Anansi the Spider at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Photography by Tyler Fayose.
A woman in a headscarf performs to an audience of small children. This is from the 2026 production of Anansi the Spider at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Photography by Tyler Fayose.
A woman in a headscarf performs to an audience of small children under a tree. This is from the 2026 production of Anansi the Spider at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Photography by Tyler Fayose.
A woman stretches happily. This is from the 2026 production of Anansi the Spider at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Photography by Tyler Fayose.
Two women dance and point at each other. This is from the 2026 production of Anansi the Spider at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Photography by Tyler Fayose.
A woman is mid-shout whilst two women listen in the background. This is from the 2026 production of Anansi the Spider at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Photography by Tyler Fayose.
A haughty woman in a headscarf, wrapped in a richly coloured and patterned cloth. This is from the 2026 production of Anansi the Spider at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Photography by Tyler Fayose.
A woman in a headscarf turns her head up to the sun. This is from the 2026 production of Anansi the Spider at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Photography by Tyler Fayose.
A woman in a headscarf cradles a pot that is tied around her stomach with a patterned sash. This is from the 2026 production of Anansi the Spider at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Photography by Tyler Fayose.
A woman in a headscarf leans over a big metal pot and mimes eating heartily. This is from the 2026 production of Anansi the Spider at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Photography by Tyler Fayose.

Creatives

Esther Kehinde Ajayi

Sound Designer

Robin Belfield

Director

Delyth Evans

Associate Designer

Asha Jennings-Grant

Movement Director

Duramaney Kamara

Composer

Joel Trill

Voice & Dialect Coach

Cast

Cynthia Emeagi headshot

Cynthia Emeagi

Narrator 1

Mira Morrison 14

Mira Morrison

Understudy

ELIZABETH PEACE headshot

Elizabeth Peace

Narrator 3

Becky Sanneh Headshot

Becky Sanneh

Narrator 2

Photography

Tyler Fayose

Production Photography

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