With London temperatures soaring this July, outdoor theatre is a great way to spend a warm evening. And, fans of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, have not one but three chances to catch an open-air production of this delightfully dippy comedy.
Cannizaro Park
You can enjoy Shakespeare al fresco without even leaving Wimbledon Village this summer. Cannizaro Park provides the stunning backdrop to Wimbledon-based Mayhem Theatre Company’s vibrant and energetic production of the tale of mismatched lovers, mischievous sprites, chaos and confusion. The award-winning amateur company has become a Cannizaro summer staple, producing an annual outdoor show, which is eagerly awaited by locals.
The performance will take place in the Italian Garden area of Cannizaro Park each evening from 31 July to 3 August 2019 at 7.45, with a matinee on Saturday 3 August at 2.30. Picnics are welcome and audience members should bring seating or rugs. There will be toilet facilities and a cash-only bar on site. Tickets can be purchased now via the Mayhem Theatre website.
Morden Hall Park
You can also see A Midsummer Night’s Dream on Friday 16 August, when the Lord Chamberlain’s Men take the play to the National Trust’s Morden Hall Park. Bring a picnic and settle down for an enchanting night of drama and comedy. In true 16th century style, the show will be performed by an all-male cast with Elizabethan costumes, music and dance. The performance begins at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £18.50 for adults or £9 for children and can be booked on the National Trust website.
Regents Park
If you don’t mind venturing further afield, a third version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is currently playing at Regent’s Park’s Open Air Theatre, until 27 July. This inventive, physical production features fairies on stilts and one of the funniest Bottoms ever seen, according to The Telegraph. For more information and to book visit the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s website.
“Lord, what fools these mortals be!”
