01 Feb 2024
The 10th annual Roman Theatre Open Air Festival promises an incredible line-up of theatre and music, presenting brand-new adaptations of English classics as well as the return of some iconic audience favourites
OVO are marking the landmark year with a diverse roster of shows between May 31 and September 8, all representing the company’s commitment to showcasing the art of theatre through imaginative, contemporary productions.
Opening with the return of their critically acclaimed production The Merry Wives of Windsor, where the classic Shakespeare comedy receives an ‘80s makeover, the season theatre programme rounds out with a brand-new musical The Highwayman, based on the narrative poem by Alfred Noyes, with book, music and lyrics by Kitty Morgan.
In a co-production with Pitlochry Festival Theatre, OVO will present a fresh new reimagining of Sense and Sensibility, directed by OVO artistic director Adam Nichols and adapted by Frances Poet. The medieval poem Gawain and the Green Knight will be brought to life on stage, in a co-production with Make It Beautiful, and an imaginative contemporary mashup of Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard and The Seagull will challenge preconceptions in a co-production with Knuckledown.
Changeling Theatre presents thrilling restagings of Noel Coward’s Present Laughter and Henry V, Jack Dean and Company present a folk/indie gig theatre reimagining of Christopher Marlowe’s poem based on the Greek myth Hero and Leander, and the Kernow Chamber Players premiere a new opera version of Shakespeare’s Richard III.
Rogue Shakespeare makes its Roman Theatre debut with multi award-winning playwright Ryan J-W Smith’s Pretty, Witty Nell, in an exciting double bill with Shakespeare’s lost play Love’s Labours Won, alongside humorous reimagining MacDeath! and Elizabethan comedy Sweet Love Adieu.
This year’s festival also showcases the best theatre talent from the local community with St Albans Musical Theatre Company presenting the coming-of-age rock musical Spring Awakening, Act4 Productions producing the beloved Sondheim musical Into the Woods, and OVO’s new youth and community ensemble will delight with a new production of the children’s classic The Secret Garden.
Aside from theatre, Classical Chorus will delight audiences with a medley of classical greats, followed by a concert of song and spoken word with Jez Lowe, Bob Fox and Julie Matthews. St Albans based ukulele group, the Ver Players, will return to the Roman Theatre with a brand-new production celebrating The Beatles to round off the month.
Adam Nichols said: “It hardly seems possible that we have reached our 10th anniversary, but we couldn’t have assembled a more exciting array of productions and creative talent to help us celebrate this milestone. We are particularly excited to be collaborating with so many companies, and especially that we are continuing our partnership with Pitlochry Festival Theatre.
“Every one of the shows we are presenting will embody OVO’s bold, imaginative, and inspiring qualities, so expect wit, irreverence, cheek and amazing entertainment under the stars this summer.”
For tickets and more information visit https://ovo.org.uk/whats-on/
