Strolling through The Regent's Park to the first 2023 season production at the Open Air Theatre, brought home to me just how much I enjoy this place - and how great it was to be back.
This open space is to London what Central Park is to New York, and visiting is always a pleasure, particularly in springtime.
Londoners and visitors alike spread themselves throughout its 410 acres, making the most of the longer evenings.
Around the boating lake, the ducks, geese and swans parade their youngsters with a mix of pride and parental protection, with little regard to us until bread is tossed in their direction.
My one gripe is that the nine months since 101 Dalmations, the last Open Air Theatre production of its 2022 season, had flown by at Concorde speed.
At my age one would prefer time to pass in little more leisurely fashion.
At The Regent's Park Open Air Theatre itself, one finds everything as it always is.
The picnic tables, inevitably bagged by those 'early arrivers' who know the score and are determined to make an occasion of the evening.
Others throng the covered bar and food area that surrounds one side of the auditorium, and everywhere there is meeting of old friends and a buzz of anticipation.
For while the surroundings may reward with their familiarity, each production at the Open Ait Theatre will offer its own unique theatrical experience.
Once On This Island
To open the 2023 season the Open Air Theatre has opted for a revival of the musical Once On This Island, and comes nearly 30 years after its original 1994 West End premier and run.
Once on This Island is a so-called, coming-of-age musical, in one act.
It is based on My Love, My Love, a 1985 novel by Rosa Guy that is also known as The Peasant Girl.
Guy, in turn, based her book on Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale The Little Mermaid but with a Caribbean resetting.
The two-nation island that impoverished Haiti shares with the more affluent Dominican Republic coming easily to mind.
The storyline has 'Hitian' Ti Moune (a truly mesmeric performance by the hugely talented Gabrielle Brooks) falling hopelessly in love with Daniel (Stephenson Ardern-Sodje), as she nurses him back to health after a near fatal accident.
Daniel, an arrogant wimp is so not deserving of Ti Moune's affection, but that does not deter the young girl and she makes a deal with the gods to save his life.
Never a particularly good plan, although it does eventually lead to a happyish sort of ending.
What this premise does do is to provide the basis for a vibrant, Caribbean fuelled production full of colour, movement and an excellent score of genuine and enduring quality.
The musical accompaniment is performed by a great eight-piece band, sadly mostly hidden at the back of the stage, that merits the admission price in its own right.
This being the Open Air Theatre, the production is not afraid to embrace the underlying, thought-provoking, strains of racism, class discrimination, abuse and subjugation.
With each Open Air Theatre season comprising just three main productions, there must be pressure to play safe with the choice of work.
Opting for Once on This Island to open the season was a risk but is one that pays off handsomely and deserves to be both lauded and enjoyed.
www.openairtheatre.com/whats-on
Other 2023 productions at The Regent's Park Open Air Theatre
Robin Hood : The Legend. Re-written
17 June to 22 July 2023
The Tempest
Re-imagined for everyone aged six and over (daytime performances)
30 June to 22 July 2023
La Cage Aux Folles
29 July to 16 September
Dinosaur World Live
For 3+ (daytime performances)
11 August to 03 September 2023
