Presented by OVO By William Shakespeare
Adapted and directed by Adam Nichols
1967. Pressured by the generation gap, lovers Rosalind and Orlando escape the city and journey to the Forest of Arden where they become entangled in a beguiling game of love, lust and mistaken identity.
This vibrant and uplifting interpretation of Shakespeare’s glorious comedy is a magical trip to the summer of love, complete with a live soundtrack featuring The Mamas and the Papas, the Beach Boys, Jimi Hendrix, the Small Faces and many more.
OVO’s most beloved award-winning show returns for a 10th anniversary production, directed by OVO’s Artistic Director Adam Nichols.
Dating back to 140 AD, the Roman Theatre of Verulamium is the oldest producing theatre in the UK.
Its history includes dancing, wrestling, religious processions and armed combat, before the stage came into greater use for drama around 180 AD.
By 300 AD, the theatre had been developed to seat around 2,000 spectators. The ruins were unearthed in 1847, revealing a remarkable chapter of Hertfordshire history.
Today, the theatre and its surroundings provide the atmospheric backdrop for the OVO Roman Theatre Open Air Festival.
What's included
Row J - undercover seating with a cushion provided!
Price
CSSC member: £33.00
Non-member: £47.62 + £6 non-member event fee.
Buying a non-member ticket?
An event fee is applied to each non-member ticket. Why not make use of the linked membership scheme and earn yourself £10 by joining them up to CSSC, they will save the non-member event fee, and purchase the
ticket at the discounted members rate. Invite your non-member guests to join CSSC here.
Please note that non-member event fee is non-refundable.
Timings
6:30pm — gates open.
7:30pm — performance begins.
Notes and restrictions
Each CSSC member may purchase one CSSC member-priced ticket per unique CSSC membership number, plus one non-member-priced ticket for a guest.
Applications will close when tickets sell out, no later than Sunday 2nd of August.
Tickets will be sent as e-tickets via the purchasers email address.
Arrival and seating
Premium Seating is covered for rain protection and offers some of the best views in the house.
Gates open 60 minutes before the performance starts.
Latecomers are not guaranteed admission and will only be admitted to the Arena at a suitable point in the performance.
Please do not bring umbrellas, as they can obstruct other audience members’ views.
Site information
The Roman Theatre is a non-smoking site.
Please do not smoke or vape anywhere in the grounds or on Gorhambury Drive.
If you wish to smoke, please walk out onto Bluehouse Hill.
OVO is working to reduce its environmental impact through packaging and waste management, and by sourcing locally wherever possible.
Dogs are not permitted on site, except guide dogs.
Further information
Toilet facilities are available on site.
The auditorium is open to the elements, so please dress appropriately for the weather. Sunburn and heatstroke can be as much of a risk as rain. Even on dry evenings, the air and ground can be damp, so waterproof clothing is recommended.
Address and travel
The Roman Theatre of Verulamium Bluehouse Hill St Albans AL3 6AE
There is no parking or drop-off at the Roman Theatre itself, so please do not try to enter the site by car.
The nearest parking is St Albans Museum car park, around a 5-minute walk from the theatre. It may be full at peak times, especially at weekends.
Alternative parking is available on King Harry Lane, around a 10-minute walk away, or in the city centre, around 15–20 minutes away on foot.
St Albans City station is approximately a 25-minute walk or a 10-minute taxi ride from the theatre.