Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, which is located in Queen Mary's Gardens, on the Inner Circle of Regent's Park was founded in 1932 by Sydney Carroll and Robert Atkins.
It has been one of London's unique theatrical attractions ever since.
The theatre itself is surrounded by woodland, which is invariably used to great effect as a stage backdrop.
It is the UK's largest permanent professional outdoor theatre and, during the summer months, stages a programme of drama, comedy and musicals.
Stars of stage and screen are constantly keen to perform here.
And despite enjoying one of the largest audience auditoriums of any London theatre, the tiered seating and overall ambience gives the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre a real intimacy and special atmosphere.
The best way to make the most of a visit is to arrive early with a hamper and chilled wine (or opt for the theatre's fine selection of food and drinks).
A pre-theatre picnic in the 'forest glade' foyer is a delight in its own right.
Images : www.openairtheatre.com
A wonderful evening at this theatre - come rain or come shine
Disturbances from the auditorium, be it chattering or mobiles sounding off, can be the bane of the actors life.
The late, great, Richard Griffiths found this so frustrating he was known to stop a performance to lambast the culprits.
So what to do when the, albeit gently rhythmic disturbance comes from the constant cooing of a pigeon on a branch at stage left.
At this theatre it is par for the course and part of the appeal.
In fact the evening I enjoyed Hobson's Choice, an owl flew across the stage (albeit silently).
One also spots the high flying aircraft soaring into the sunset on their transatlantic crossings and the stars appearing as night time falls.
An illustrious history
The history of the Open Air Theatre is a truly illustrious one.
Way back in 1932 a play by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini at the New Theatre (now the Noel Coward) 'bombed'.
In desperate need of a production, theatre impresarios Robert Atkins and Sydney Caroll staged a short-run production of Twelfth Night.
When the time came to move out of the new theatre the pair took their production to a makeshift theatre in Regent's Park and a theatrical institution was born.
The following year, in its first full season, the Open Air Theatre revived Twelfth Night and staged the first of, many subsequent productions of A Midsummer Night's Dream.
From then on there was just no looking back.
In 1934 George Bernard Shaw wrote The Six of Calais for the theatre and, between 1939 and 1945, it was only one of two (with the Windmill) to remain open throughout wartime London.
Regent's Park Theatre Ltd
As Regent's Park Theatre Ltd, the theatre operates as a registered charity.
Over the years the Open Air Theatre has built up an audience of part loyal supporters, part London tourists and, finally, those visiting Regent's Park who manage to take in a performance by chance.
The first visit is unlikely to be the last
For London theatregoers like myself, the first visit is not going to be the last.
One just gets hooked on the place.
A three course evening of entertainment
To get the absolute most from a visit to Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, one should take a pre-planned approach to each performance.
Enjoy the park itself
The first thing to do is to arrive at Regent's Park as early as possible so as to be able to enjoy the lakes and gardens themselves.
Those dashing through the park, so as not to miss 'curtain up', will not be able to appreciate one of the worlds finest city green spaces.
Even the 10 minute stroll through the park, from Baker Street tube, is a real pleasure.
All the more so if you stop and sit a while.
Swans, ducks, geese, moorhens, coots and heron all vie for your attention, and that bread if you have any.
The nesting season of mid to late spring, when the young chicks and cygnets are about, is a real 'ah look, so cute' time of year.
Pre-theatre dining alfresco
Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, which sits within landscaped grounds, provides a dining experience in its own right.
There is an outside picnic lawn, a summer café and a covered dining area circles the whole of one side of the auditorium.
The theatre is more than happy for guests to bring their own picnics and drinks although it does offer an excellent selection of dinner dishes and a fully stocked bar - with Pimm's always popular.
Productions at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre
And then, of course, we come to the main course in the evening's entertainment - the production itself.
Though each season at the theatre offers a carefully balanced blend of classic drama, comedy and musicals, the theatrical experience remains the same.
The casual ambience continues in the auditorium itself.
The tiered seating now new and very comfortable, offers a fine view of the stage from wherever.
And finally the audio is excellent, which it needs to be with the theatre roofless.
A true theatrical experience - whatever the weather may hold
You will now realise that I, along with so many other theatre goers, find the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre an absolute delight.
When I wax lyrical about it to others, there is invariably a question about the weather? This is England after all.
Let me assure you, the weather is all part of this theatrical experience.
Planning a visit here includes consulting the weather forecast.
And having sun cream can be as important as bringing rainwear.
We also make sure that we have the items of the warmer clothing to put on as the evening progresses and temperatures fall.
Whether you are a Londoner or someone enjoying a short break in the city, if you are there during the spring and summer check out the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.
And if you can go, go - come rain or come shine.
The Regents Park
The Regent's Park, designed by John Nash, covers 395 acres and includes Queen Mary's Gardens which features more than 12,000 roses of 400 varieties, and the restored William Andrews Nestfield's Avenue Gardens.
In addition to the Open Air Theatre, the Park also includes London Zoo.
Strolling through the park provides the UK's largest free to access to waterfowl and some 100 species of wild bird.
www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/the-regents-park