Regent's Park Open Air Theatre announces 2022 summer season

The season marks the venue's 90th anniversary.

Omigod you guys! Regent's Park Open Air Theatre has confirmed its 2022 season, with three productions opening during the summer. After kicking off in May with Legally Blonde: The Musical, the season will include the premiere of 101 Dalmatians and a new version of Antigone.

Legally Blonde will be directed by Lucy Moss, co-writer and co-director of Six in the West End and on Broadway. The musical, based on the same-named 2001 movie, centres on Elle Woods, a fashion-obsessed sorority girl who follows her ex-boyfriend to Harvard Law School in the hopes of getting him back. She soon discovers, as she studies the law more seriously, how to succeed without sacrificing her own style. The musical first played in London in 2009, winning three Olivier Awards out of five nominations, including Best New Musical. The Regent's Park production will begin 13 May ahead of a 24 May opening night, and run through 2 July.

Legally Blonde will have three assisted performances: BSL-interpreted on 21 June, captioned on 24 June, and audio-described with a touch tour on 25 June.

Next, from 12 July to 28 August, Regent's Park will premiere the new musical adaptation of 101 Dalmatians after postponing it due to the pandemic. Opening night is 22 July. In 101 Dalmatians, based on the 1996 Disney film, the villainous Cruella de Vil is in the market for a new fur coat, and the dalmatians Pongo, Perdita, and their titular litter of puppies have to escape her before she gets to them. The musical features music and lyrics by Douglas Hodge, a book by Johnny McKnight from a stage adaptation by Zinnie Harris, and is based on the story by Dodie Smith. Timothy Sheader will direct.

101 Dalmatians will have a relaxed performance on 14 August, which allows audience members with autism, learning disabilities, or other sensory or communication needs to experience the show.

Finally, Regent's Theatre has commissioned a new version of Sophocles' play Antigone, written by Barber Shop Chronicles playwright Inua Ellams. She retells the classic story of the title girl who is on the run after giving her brother a proper burial against the wishes of her rigid uncle, the King of Thebes. Max Webster directs, and choreography is by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille. Antigone will play from 3-24 September, with an opening night of 9 September.

Like Legally Blonde, Antigone will have three assisted performances: BSL-interpreted on 13 September, captioned on 16 September, and audio-described with a touch tour on 24 September.

^{Photo credit: David Jensen and Feast Creative}