NEWS: Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre will reopen in August with special concert staging of their production of Jesus Christ Superstar

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre will be the first London theatre to welcome back audiences with 70 live performances in August and September.

In addition to a special concert staging of their production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar, which plays for 6 weeks from Friday 14 August 2020, they will also be hosting comedy on a Monday, with acts including Rob Beckett, Gabby Best, Russell Brand, Jimmy Carr, Russell Kane and Mischief Theatre. Tickets for Jesus Christ Superstar go on sale next week with Priority booking at 11am, Monday 20 July 2020. Public booking opens at 11am, Tuesday 21 July 2020. MOREoutdoor Comedy goes on sale to the general public on Thursday 23 July 2020.

William Village, Executive Director said: “Following the government’s announcement last week that outdoor theatres may re-open, we have been working around the clock to find a way to open in August and September this year. With social distancing, seating capacity has been dramatically reduced to 390 seats (down from 1,256). This makes producing any large-scale show economically extremely challenging, particularly as we are an unfunded organisation. Nevertheless, both for us as a venue, and the industry as a whole, we believe it is incumbent upon us to do everything possible to re-open this year, and we’re delighted to announce this special concert staging of our award-winning production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

Of course, the safety of our audience, performers and staff remains of paramount importance to us. We will follow government guidance meticulously; measures to be introduced at the entirely open air venue include: reduced capacity, distanced performers, enhanced cleaning, one-way systems, mandatory face coverings, temperature checks, paperless and cashless systems and multiple hand sanitiser stations. All information will be set out clearly on our website and communicated with audiences in advance of their arrival.”

Timothy Sheader, Artistic Director said: “It has been, and continues to be, an incredibly challenging time for everyone working in the theatre industry. Whilst the arts sector awaits details of how the government’s support package will be disseminated, I’m heartened that we have been able to start work again with a number of our colleagues and to employ over 140 people including 70 performers and freelancers, at least for a brief period this summer.

However, a clear and specific timeframe for the re-opening of the rest of our industry, together with the complete and safe removal of social distancing measures in all venues, remains critical to secure the future of the arts in the UK.”

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