Top three open air theatres

Summer’s great – we all agree on that. But the thought of sitting in a stuffy theatre when the temperature’s in the 20s can be pretty unappealing, regardless of how refreshing the interval drinks might be. Here’s our favourite venues for enjoying a play when out in the open.

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

London
An Escape favourite, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre launches another great season of classic stage shows, including Peter Pan (until 15 June), The Turn of the Screw (22 June – 30 June), As You Like It (6 July – 28 July) and Little Shop of Horrors (3 August – 15 September). In fact, so good and so varied is the line-up this year – there’s fantasy, horror, musicals and Shakespeare. For younger kids, there’s also the interactive Dinosaur World Live (14 August – 9 September), which should be a blast for all involved.
openairtheatre.com

The Minack Theatre

Porthcurno, Cornwall
Of all the theatres in the UK, the Minack has perhaps the most dramatic setting. Hewn out of the rocky Cornish coast, it sits perched on the very tip of the country, looking out over the Channel. The Minack runs a busy and varied schedule, with shows running most nights from late March through September. As well as theatre, including classics by Shakespeare, Anton Chekov and Tom Stoppard, there are a few concerts too. The theatre is also a tourist destination, so even if you’re not planning on seeing a show, head over and discover the history of this dramatically different stage.
minack.com

Shakespeare’s Globe

London
Shakespeare’s Globe welcomes audiences and visitors to their two theatres: the open-air Globe Theatre (with 700 standing tickets, each costing £5 per performance during the main theatre season) and the indoor Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. The summer season includes some the bard’s finest works, such as Hamlet, As You Like It, The Two Noble Kinsmen, The Winter’s Tale, Othello and more. There’s always a great cast, and tickets are often very reasonable (you can even bag one for a fiver).
shakespearesglobe.com