Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Unveils Exciting New Summer Season Under Fresh Leadership

The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre has long been a staple of London’s summer calendar, offering an enchanting mix of fresh air and first-rate performances. However, the 2025 season feels like the start of a new chapter. After Timothy Sheader’s impressive 18-year tenure as Artistic Director, the reins have passed to Drew McOnie, who promises to bring fresh energy while respecting the theatre’s legacy.

This year’s lineup is bold, fun, and filled with variety, kicking off with the UK debut of the hit Broadway musical Shucked from 10th May to 14th June. Nominated for eight Tony Awards, Shucked is a quirky comedy set in a rural American town where the sudden death of their beloved corn forces naïve couple Maizy and Bill to venture into the wider world in search of answers. Expect laughs, toe-tapping tunes, and a unique twist on the classic small-town musical. The production will transfer Jack O’Brien’s original Broadway vision to London with a brand-new UK cast. It’s a five-week run, but don’t be surprised if this one ends up extending.

Next, for those who love the fusion of dance and musical theatre, the Dream Ballets: A Triple Bill from 19th to 22nd June will be a rare treat. Choreographers Julia Cheng, Shelley Maxwell, and Kate Prince will reimagine the famous ‘dream ballet’ sequences from Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Allegro, Oklahoma!, and Carousel. This is the sort of programme that makes dance enthusiasts giddy, and its short run makes it a must-see.

Switching gears, the season’s only straight play is a revival of Noughts & Crosses, Dominic Cooke’s 2007 adaptation of Malorie Blackman’s seminal YA novel. Running from 28th June to 26th July, this dystopian drama tackles themes of race and segregation in an alternate Europe, where society is divided between the lighter-skinned Noughts and the darker-skinned Crosses. Directed by Open Air Theatre associate director Tinuke Craig, this marks the play’s first revival since its RSC debut and is bound to be a powerful, thought-provoking piece.

For August, the theatre returns to musical roots with Lerner & Loewe’s Brigadoon from 2nd August to 20th September. Directed and choreographed by McOnie himself, this tale of two American tourists who stumble upon a mystical Scottish village that only appears once every hundred years hasn’t been seen on UK stages in decades. Originally a hit in 1947, Brigadoon hasn’t always aged gracefully, particularly in its portrayal of Scottish culture. But with Scottish playwright Rona Munro adapting the revival, expect a fresh take that navigates the show’s dated elements while preserving its sweeping romance.

And for the younger crowd, Roald Dahl’s The Enormous Crocodile makes a return for daytime performances from 15th August to 7th September. This children’s musical is set to delight families with its playful energy and whimsical storytelling.

McOnie’s inaugural season sticks to a proven formula: big musicals, a serious play, and a sprinkle of family-friendly fun. But there are hints of his unique touch—particularly the Dream Ballets, which suggest he may lean into more dance-heavy programming. What remains to be seen is whether Shakespeare will find his way back to the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in the coming years. Once dedicated solely to the Bard, the venue has broadened its scope in recent decades, but a nod to the national poet has often remained in the mix.

Tickets for the 2025 Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre summer season go on sale from Thursday, 6th February. With such a dynamic lineup, this season promises to be one of the most exciting in years, offering something for every theatre lover in London.

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