13 Sep 2025
Deborah Heath looks back on her favourite elements from this year’s open air event…
Following ‘Lord of the Flies’, OVO’s final show of this year’s Roman Theatre Festival, I packed away my bag of cushions and blankets and am now considering the highlights of another wonderful season. I must add that last year I didn’t need to use a waterproof at all. This year I felt once again that I must have a charmed existence until the very final production I attended. Even then, the small amount of drizzle was offset by a double rainbow so I couldn’t be sad for long.
So what made this year’s festival such a success? Well, OVO can boast not only mastery of the creative process but are now fine tuning the logistics of running this iconic theatre festival too. I appreciated the allocated seats and extra bar provision this year; both taking a little sress away from a lovely evening. The non-alcoholic offerings were much improved and this is a definite consideration given that most groups would have to drive to the theatre. I particularly enjoyed the no gin G&T!
The Pink Elephant platters were a great additional feature this year. As a vegan I couldn’t eat one myself but they looked lovely. The premier seating was a good idea, again, I didn’t try it myself but imagine that the additional coverings and comfort was enjoyed by those who did. I would like to give a massive shout out to the friendly, helpful front
of house team – without them, the festival couldn’t function at all.
One change this year was the idea of staging each show in blocks rather than splitting a production into two runs over the festival. The downside was that if you are away for a fortnight you are likely to miss one show but on the upside, it felt more streamlined with a timetable that was easier to understand.
I am sure it was easier to manage the technical requirements of each show too leaving OVO to focus on what was important. Probably for a similar reason, there weren’t quite as many visiting productions this year. Both of these measures made this year’s festival more focussed and I hope OVO stick to this pattern going forward.
I understand why OVO have abandoned paper programmes; it is definitely better for the environment and the right thing to do but I’m afraid I miss them.
Yes, I know you can download them onto your phone but it seems rude to glance at a device during a play when it wouldn’t just to look at a folded piece of cardboard. The e-programme is the right way forward but hope we can have a few more QR codes in the auditorium next year.
So let’s get down to the nitty gritty and celebrate some highlights of the festival this year.
Best Shakespeare: Adam Nichols is quite simply at the top his game in adapting and directing the Bard’s works for actor musicians. His production showed off what OVO does best; realising Shakespeare in exciting new ways. This 1970s disco version was so much fun and retained the spirit of the original. Excellent work!
Best Set: Simon Nicholas’ detailed plane crash set for ‘Lord of the Flies’ took my breath away. It put the audience on edge from the outset, setting the tone for a marvellously disturbing show. A great example of how a set can create atmosphere.
Best Music Event: Disco Divas were consummate professionals giving their audience a fabulously fun night of music and comedy, despite some massive sound issues. Well done Divas!
Best Visiting Show: ‘The Bear’, from PlayinthePark was expertly realised with well- chosen minimal scenery and some outstanding comic performances from the highly skilled cast of three. Please bring us more Chekhov next year!
Overall Favourite: ‘The Great Gatsby’ was so very beautiful. Every creative element worked perfectly from performances, to tech, to design. This is a flagship show and I hope OVO will be able to tour it across the UK to give it the exposure it deserves.
I must finish by highlighting how very proud we should be to have OVO in St Albans.
Under the leadership of theatrical entrepreneur Adam Nichols it is going from strength to strength and I can’t wait to see how their new Barn Theatre project develops. Thank you to Adam and his team for another outstanding festival.
