London’s Free Open Air Theatre returns to Foster + Partners designed outdoor amphitheatre The Scoop for its 15th year this summer with new adaptations of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and King Arthur, offering unforgettable and totally accessible experiences in the heart of the city – completely free of charge.
Directed by Phil Wilmott (with Justin Murray for The Wonderful Wizard of Oz), this season continues London’s Free Open-Air Theatre, with the performances aiming to give a new generation free access to the city’s finest theatrical artists, and promising an epic adventure for audiences of all ages and backgrounds. The theatre season is part of the London Bridge City Summer By The River festival. Accompanying the main theatre season, there will be a diverse programme of community activities including workshops, concerts and talks to be announced.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, in an adaptation by Phil Willmott of the novel by Frank L Baum, will retell the beloved kids adventure story and undisputed American classic of how a little girl called Dorothy and her dog Toto, a scarecrow, a tin man and a cowardly lion set off down The Yellow Brick Road to make their dreams come true. Add a wicked witch, flying Monkeys, Munchkins and an eccentric wizard and you’ve the perfect recipe for a tale that will thrill children under ten and anyone with a brain, a warm heart and a little courage.
Thereafter, for a thrilling new dramatisation of the story of King Arthur (adapted by Phil Wilmott), we return to the poetry, majesty and magic of Sir Thomas Malory’s 1485 retelling of the epic story and focus on the love triangle between a king, a queen and a handsome young knight. Exploring the nature of kingship, loyalty and honour, it’s the captivating tale of an unlikely new king taught by the wizard Merlin to bravely live, love and rule with compassion… and to defeat a witch!
Both productions run 8th August – 2nd September 2018.
