Buying Tickets Online:	Other Box Office Information
Tickets offered differ between outlets. Outlets also may offer different seats via their phone and online systems. Offers may be available click here.

Theatre Box Office: www.openairtheatre.com Their own site provide the service for this theatre. This amazing site is a model of how theatre webpages should be. All the detail you could want. The site also allows you to select your exact seat numbers from the plan available - and there is no booking fee.   Booking fees per ticket for online bookings: No fee is charged to have tickets emailed to you. Other Online Choices (with S.T.A.R. genuine ticket agencies): will be listed when available for the 2012 season.   Independent S.T.A.R. ticket agencies may offer an alternative choice of seats.

Box Office Information:

Tickets offered differ between outlets. Outlets also may offer different seats via their phone and online systems. Offers may be available click here.

Theatre Box Office: Telephone: 0844 826 4242 Operated by the theatre on behalf of the venue, but please note: The box office in the park is now closed for the winter. Details of the 2012 season's opening hours will be posted when available.   Booking fees per ticket for telephone bookings: In 2012 a £1 per ticket booking fee is charged for telephone bookings with the box office. A sad sign of theatre economics that since the 2007 season, for the first time ever, the telephone booking service is not free, feels the monkey. For groups of 10 or more, a £2.50 per booking, not per ticket, service charge is made. If collecting tickets reserved by telephone, PLEASE BRING THE CREDIT CARD YOU USED WITH YOU - the box office cannot issue your tickets without it. Remember that, online, no fee is charged except for some Sunday performances - the system will indicate these at time of booking. For personal callers or by post: Inner Circle, Regent's Park, London. NW1 4NP No booking fee for personal callers. Postal bookings by cheque should be made payable to "Open Air Theatre." For postal bookings, a £1 per ticket booking fee is charged. Don't forget to add this to your cheque when calculating. The box office in the park opens during the season only. Details above. Special Access Needs Customers: Wheelchair users and other registered disabled theatregoers can book their seats on 0844 826 4242, or fill in the online form at the venue website, and enquire about concessionary prices that may be available to them. The wheelchair users line connects directly to the theatre box office in London when it is open - if an agency answers, ask to be put through to the venue or try at another time / fill in the online form. Specific information may also be checked with the venue, see Notes. www.openairtheatre.org is the official theatre website.

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Performance Times

Ticket Prices

Where to Buy Tickets

Seating Plan

Seat Opinions

Getting Here

Theatre Seat Opinions:

Please remember that cheaper seats often do not offer the same view / location quality as top price ones, and that ticket prices are designed to reflect this difference. 2012 CHANGES: The venue announced that for the 2012 Summer Season, the stage will be extended over rows A and B, and they intend also to place extra seating at one side of the front section, where there is usually grass. Theatremonkey.com will update details where available nearer the time.

Seating Plan Diagram

Front Stalls

Rear Stalls

Notes

FRONT STALLS  The theatre is a vast fan-shaped auditorium divided into front and rear blocks by a wide gangway in front of row J. The front block is of concrete steps rising from the stage, the rear block is a steeply raked concrete and wooden grandstand. The front block is split into a central and two side blocks by aisles. The stage is a wooden floor laid in a diamond on a grassy base. The diamond shape sometimes comes to a sharp point in front of the centre seats in row A. It is low enough not to affect sightlines too greatly, though a few purists might want to avoid A 11 to 14. Also be aware that speakers on the grass bank under the stage can be loud for those in the front rows. Choose the centre block row D first, then C, B and A for those who enjoy a close look at the stage. Row D looks just nicely down onto the stage when they are using the slightly raised plinth type stage commonly in this theatre's set designs. Others also like E, F and G for a slightly wider perspective. Then look at the rear block row L seats 25 to 40 (or K 22 to 36 if the fence and a bit less legroom is not a problem for you) before picking rows H, I and J since the rake is better. For the 2012 season, row H14 to 27 and I15 to 30 are "premium" seats at a few pounds over top price. Unusually, the monkey rates these 'green' as they do throw in a programme and glass of wine that almost offsets in full the extra cost. If you feel strongly about supporting this venue, buying them would be a nice gesture, thinks the monkey. Central seats in row I are the usual full upright and support system, while the two outer block sections of the row have the seats only just above the level of the concrete. Taller theatregoers may find these less conveniently shaped. Row J is inserted in the aisle space in front of row K. Positioned in the aisle space between front and rear stalls blocks, against the wooden rails of the rear section. The seats are padded, but do not have arm rests. It has an excellent view and better legroom than other seating, and a reader who sat there agrees! Better still, the outermost ends are cheaper. The view from these end sections is a little side on from outermost seats perhaps, and you are at the same height as side block seats in row I in front, but if available, the legroom is worthwhile feels the monkey... if nobody tall takes row I, maybe... The side blocks offer a good, if slightly angled view, but as usual, the centre block is preferable, as all seats are the same price. Irritatingly, the action happens towards the centre, meaning those at the sides don't always see actors faces full-on. Row choice is the same as the centre block. One reader also noticed that the 2010 set for "Into The Woods" blocked views from A1. Something to bear in mind for future performances, felt the monkey, as though there is usually a fine view, poor scenic design can obviously cause an issue. A reader says, "A3 to A6. Although you are to one side of the stage, you do not miss out on anything!" Interestingly, for the 2011 season, row A 1 to 4 and 21 to 24 are second price. The monkey would go for A 3, 4, 21 and 22 for sure. Even if it is a little side on, you can't miss much and yet you are saving money. Another opines, "D33 and 34 for "Into The Woods" (August 2010) were really good. As the action sometimes takes place on the high walk ways I was glad not to be right at the front!" Reader Mark adds, "G6 - Got for £8 as the 'Breeze Night' discount for young people at "Into The Woods (August 2010). Great seat, very close to the action, go for central seats at full price, but the seats in the side block were absolutely fine." Theatremonkey regular seat connoisseur James says, "I20 and I21: excellent!" on a later visit, to "Crazy For You" (2011) he notes, "I30 and 31: Perfect, but do take a waterproof blanket to put on the seat if its been raining in the afternoon! The monkey agrees. Four wheelchair spaces can be inserted into row J replacing seats 6 to 8, 9 to 11, 20 to 23, 31 to 34, 43 to 45 and 46 to 48 as required. Monkey advice is to take 20 to 23 and 31 to 34 first, as they are nice and central. See notes. Reader Craig notes that: "Stall seats were comfortable, all now have integral cushions. All stall seats are individual seats with wooden arm rests." Legroom is good for all but those over 5ft 10 or so in all seats, best in row A where it is almost unlimited, and side block aisle seats have extra space for one leg. A little less at the far end of the low numbers side block row I, though, for some reason. Row J will also suit the longer legged, feels the monkey. Also worth knowing is that the grass banks beside the seats are also sold if it's a dry day and they are not needed for the production. A side view, but a way to see the show for those willing to sit on the ground.   REAR STALLS  The rear section is a wooden walled concrete grandstand split into five blocks by gangways. A  low wooden wall runs across the front of this section but does not affect the view from any seat, though some may still want to avoid them. Do note that the very first and very last seat in the whole row (which are all located in the outermost blocks) are NOT on an aisle, there is just a wooden wall next to them. Also note that there are no armrests in this section of the auditorium. In the rear section, the view is not disappointing from most seats, but as usual when all are priced the same, insist on the best. Behind row O the seats rise steeply. Value is fair in all seats, but rows S and T do feel remote from the action (you notice it when climbing down from your perch there!) - sound is normally good, though.  So, all that said: In the most central block, row K seats 9 to 49, row L seats 10 to 55, row M seats 10 to 56 and row N seats 11 to 62 are the same top price as the front section of the theatre. Some may welcome the opportunity to sit further back for the same money - and the view is decent enough - but the monkey rates the tickets only average value here. In particular, it isn't all that happy with the outermost seats in the blocks, at second price back in 2007, now established at top price. Just "fair" value now, it feels. You are further from the stage, don't get armrests and yet pay the same money. Seats behind the fence posts in particular should be avoided at this new top price. Also, be aware there is fencing around the stairwells and front of the block section too; some may wish to choose O and P centre to avoid it if they are shorter. New pricing in the most central block sees Q 35 to 57 and R 37 to 60 at second price for the first time. The monkey would skip row R at that price - it's too far back, it feels, and there are new cheaper opportunities in the outermost blocks for the same money. At third price, the monkey would take row S 13 to 37 and 63 to 87 over T 44 to 69. The legroom in T 42, 43, 70 and 71 makes these worth the extra bananas, though, it feels. The blocks adjacent to the central one are the ones containing stairwells. Worth avoiding are seats row O 18 to 24 and 60 to 66, P 19 to 25 and 63 to 69, Q 19 to 25 and 65 to 71 and R 21 to 27 and 68 to 74 which are behind a stairwell wall. Fortunately, the box office sell most of these horrors last! Small posts beside P11, 12, 33, 34, 55, 56, 77 and 78 do not affect the view much, but purists may want to ignore the seats beside them in row P, and directly behind in rows Q and R. Row T seats 14, 15, 42, 43, 70, 71, 98 and 99 nestle below the access doors for the lighting towers above and behind. This is not a problem, and the compensation is a clear view and unlimited legroom as only the aisle is in front. Pricing follows that of the central block, except in row T, seats 14 to 41 and 72 to 99, which remain fourth price and about average value. Again, it would explore the outermost blocks aisle seats before these, perhaps. The outermost blocks have been given an aggressive price makeover for the 2011 season, throwing up some bargains, feels the monkey. The second price stuff remains fair value, but it is the seats around them that caught it's eye. Rather than being at the back of the centre section, it would try K 3, 4, 54 and 55; L 4, 5, 60 and 61; M 4, 5, 61 and 62; N 5, 6, 67 and 68 and O 5, 6, 78 and 79. Much closer even if the view is a little more to the side. Similarly, instead of row T at fourth price, it would also consider row P 4 to 7 and 82 to 85 and Q 4 to 7 and 85 to 88 for the same reasons. There are even a pair of fourth price seats at the ends of rows N and O this year - again worth a glance if vertigo isn't a problem (they are next to fence preventing a fair drop to the ground). The only bottom price tickets are at the far ends of row T. If choosing these, try for as close to the aisle as possible - and be aware that foliage can get in the way / shed leaves on you at the extreme ends of the row. For musicals, a sound desk can replace row T seats 54 to 61, extending out of the technicians hut above and behind the seating area.  Avoid seats around it - T53 and 62 in particular, and also S 46 to 57 if you don't like being overlooked. For the 2012 season row T seats 53 to 62 indeed look set to be replaced by it. The monkey always keeps fingers crossed, but stays away from these seats where possible when advance booking, just in case. Legroom is a little less in row K, adequate in rows L to T for all but the very tallest over 5ft 10 or so, best in Row T seats 14, 15, 42, 43, 70, 71, 98 and 99.   Notes Seats 1240 plus 60 on lawn when used. Occasional signed performances. Guide dogs welcome, water bowls provided. Radio headsets available for hearing impaired visitors - £5 returnable deposit required - and must be booked in advance. Level access from entrance or car park to auditorium. Gender segregated adapted toilets - ALMOST UNIQUE IN LONDON!!! Other theatres take note. This theatre gets it right. Details of special facilities are available on 0844 826 4242, or fill in the online form at the venue website. Barbeque and other food available, as well as ice cream and confectionery. Arrive early and bring your own picnic - the grounds open 90 minutes before evening performances (1 hour before 2.15pm afternoon shows, 30 minutes before other events including mornings), or order one from the box office... Food can be ordered up to 36 hours before your visit, and a voucher is issued with your tickets. Simply exchange this at the theatre bar for your meal on arrival. Call the box office on 0844 826 4242 or see www.openairtheatre.org.uk for details. A reader notes, in 2011, however, that there are no refunds for food and drink ordered in advance if a performance is rained off. This includes if you order interval drinks before the show, but the show is cancelled before the interval arrives. Please be aware of this when booking.   A "venue access guide" from the team who created book "Theatremonkey, A Guide to London's West End," is available to download in PDF format by clicking here. Large bar, and the monkey means huge - the whole width of the theatre, almost! Ample toilets in separate block.  This theatre is open to the elements. Performances are rained off only when near storm conditions are reached - if the monsoon strikes with 10 minutes to go until the show ends, chances are it'll keep going... (the monkey found this out in 2011 having experienced it personally). If they do cancel then go to the special box office windows that open onto the foyer area (they are on a pathway behind the shrubbery that banks up from the foyer to the box office building), and change your ticket free for another date. If you cannot decide instantly, tickets remain exchangeable indefinitely for any equivalent performance in the future - even years ahead. You can telephone, mail them to the Box Office Manager to make the exchange, or fill in the form on their website. Do note that arrangements to do this can only be made via the actual venue if you telephone, NOT any ticket agency who picks up the telephone for them. Money is never refunded except when the performance is cancelled for reasons OTHER THAN the weather. In this case, only the face value of the tickets is refundable. In the afternoons the box office sell the shaded (higher numbers) side first. This is a relative term and long sleeves and very strong sunblock for face and neck are essential. The sun catches the "low numbers" seats full on - reflecting off glasses etc - as it moves around 4pm. Theatremonkey reminds parents especially to use very strong sunscreen on their children if attending daytime performances. Even on a very dull day sunburn is a high risk in this theatre. Better still make them wear 'legionnaire hats' covering the head and neck - for protection. A reader notes, "Having just returned from a matinee (1.30pm) performance on about the hottest day of the year (30 plus degrees) here are some tips to survive (and enjoy) a performance without barbequing yourself and your kids. First, for once don’t buy in the ‘green’ seats (sorry Theatremonkey). The only seats where you stand of chance of relative shade for the most time are in the two highest numbered seat blocks in the upper tier.* The sun factor is different for everyone – other than the people who sat in lower to mid numbers, bottom and upper tiers, who simply fried for two hours. I sat in N60 and had sun on my back for the first half an hour and my left side for the last fifteen minutes. And even then it was relatively dappled. Bring sunblock and sunglasses and keep water with you. Water was freely available from the bar – and some teachers were even spotted with pitchers in their hands. Above all, bring a hat. It was gobsmacking how many small (and inevitably large) children had no hats – whole classes of them. Wonder how many were sick on the coach home." *Monkey comment: actually, it repeats as above - NO seats are shaded, it is a "relative" term! In the evening unless the daytime was 80 degrees plus, a thin pullover is needed, especially in the last rows of the rear block. A reader feels that, "It is flipping freezing in the evenings and blanket would be better advice".  They go on to say that the theatre do not hire blankets out any more because some twit threw them out when they stored them for safe keeping during the last paint job! After wet weather the seats will be damp. You will be handed a cloth to dry them, but theatremonkey recommends taking your own paper towels and putting a waterproof (old carrier bags or a big bin liner do the job) on the seat before parking yourself in it. In 2010 the monkey noticed the venue selling a cheap waterproof for £3 at their souvenir stand too. It's a sort of thin plastic dustbin liner with a hood bit, and long enough to cover the knees of even the tallest person, though perhaps not vast enough for the very widest girth. Do not dress in best clothes for this theatre - they will probably not survive. Please, please visit the place just once though. The atmosphere here is both magic and unique.

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Performance Times

Ticket Prices

Where to Buy Tickets

Seating Plan

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Getting Here

Getting to this Theatre

Find this theatre on a Street Map

Nearest Underground Station

Buses

Car Park

Nearest Underground Station: Baker Street - Bakerloo Line (brown), Circle Line (yellow), Hammersmith and City Line (light purple), Jubilee Line (silver gray), and Metropolitan Line (dark purple) Plan your tube journey to this station using the button below:   The theatre is a long walk from this station.  The station has multiple exits, so, on leaving the station, look around you. If you can, head for the "Baker Street (North)" exit. An "L" shaped corridor between two shops - currently "Boots" on your right / a restaurant on your left, brings you to onto the pavement! If you miss that exit, follow any exit sign promising to indicate the way to the zoo - these will eventually put you where you want to be on Baker Street! If you see a blue dome and Madam Tussauds to your left on leaving the station, then ignore them and turn to your right and walk to the street corner. Do not cross any roads, just turn right into Baker Street and meet your friend who got lucky with the other station entrance first time. If you exit into a short street, head to your left and the busy road. Look for a blue dome and Madam Tussauds to your right on this busy road. Cross it, turn right, walk to the corner, and turn right into Baker Street. There meet your friend who got lucky with the other station entrance first time. All together now on on the pavement outside the correct exit, face the road (keep the exit behind you) and turn to your right. You will pass the front entrance of the same "Boots the Chemist" shop that ran down the right hand side of the correct  "North" exit corridor. Walk down Baker Street, passing the London Transport Lost Property Office and continuing to the end of the road. If you pass the Sherlock Holmes Hotel, wrong way. At the end of Baker Street, cross Allsop Place and walk straight on into the park.  Cross the road ahead of you, Regents Park Outer Circle, and enter the main park area by the entry to your right. Inside the park follow the path to the right and cross the nearby footbridge over the water - the first signpost to the theatre is at the start of this bridge, stuck to the wall of it on your right.  Once across the footbridge, turn left and follow the path as it curves and eventually passes a bandstand. Keep going straight on until you reach a road, Regents Park Inner Circle. Cross this road. Turn to your right and follow the path as it curves to the nearest park entrance - beside a cafe. Take it and follow the path ahead through the garden to the theatre. The above is complicated, but the route is fairly well signposted. The Open Air Theatre website has a photographic version of this route on their "How To Find Us" page. Also, please be aware that after late night events, you may be asked to leave the park via the Ring Road rather than through the gardens. If so, turn right on leaving the "Inner Circle" ring road junction with the Outer Circle road, and follow the road back to Baker Street as usual.

Buses: 13, 18, 27, 30, 74, 82, 113, 139, 159 to Allsop Place / Baker Street, then follow the directions above.   Taxi: Pre Book. The only alternative is a long walk through the park to Baker Street to hail one there.

Car Park: None nearby. Parking in designated spaces for the disabled is available on the Inner Circle of Regent’s Park close to the stage door, and on Chester Road. Coaches need a coach permit to enter the park. Call the Royal Parks Agency on 020 7486 7905 at least one week in advance.

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Performance Times

Ticket Prices

Where to Buy Tickets

Seating Plan

Seat Opinions

Getting Here

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