THIS IS LONDON SUMMER ISSUE 2025 - Flipbook - Page 59
BRIGADOON – FIRST LONDON
REVIVAL IN 35 YEARS
The captivating Scottish Highlands
come to the magical outdoor setting of
Regent’s Park this summer in the major
London revival for the first time in over
35 years. With book and lyrics by Alan
Jay Lerner and music by Frederick
Loewe, in a new adaptation by acclaimed
Scottish playwright Rona Munro and
directed and choreographed by Drew
McOnie, the production runs from
2 August – 20 September.
From the writers of My Fair Lady,
Nye cast at the National Theatre.
Camelot and Gigi, the magical outdoor
setting of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
NYE RETURNS TO THE NATIONAL
will transport you to the captivating
Growing up in the UK, it is easy to
Scottish Highlands for this major new
production of Lerner & Loewe’s musical take the National Health Service for
granted. Yes, we learn in schools about
classic, Brigadoon.
a past in which only the wealthy got
Crash landed in the Highlands of
sufficient medical care, but attempting to
Scotland, WW2 fighter pilots Tommy
truly grasp such a reality has always felt
and Jeff are searching for a way home,
whilst just beyond the hills, sisters Fiona like an academic exercise. This distance
between the struggles of 'Nye' Bevan's
and Jean are preparing for a wedding.
Over the course of one chance day in the world and our own is effectively crushed
by Tim Price's recently returned play,
dreamlike village of Brigadoon, their
which brings home that experience in a
stories entwine. But can love endure in
visceral experience worthy of its
this enchanting place where everything
standing ovation.
is not quite as it seems?
Through a series of flashbacks
Not seen in London for over 35 years,
intertwined seamlessly with scenes
Brigadoon features soaring songs
featuring Bevan in the time leading to
including ‘Almost Like Being in Love’,
his death, the production tells the story
‘Waitin’ for My Dearie’ and ‘The Heather
of the founding of state care intertwined
on the Hill’.
Established in 1932, the multi-award- with the personal life of Bevan himself.
Michael Sheen is impressive as ever in
winning Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
his portrayal of an endearing Bevan, his
is one of the largest theatres in London
acting being particularly notable against
(at a capacity of 1,304). Passionate
the backdrop of what is at times a
about producing popular, enriching and
minimalistic stage and a costume of
unexpected theatre that provides a lens
unassuming pyjamas. Also, standout in
into the here and now, the scale and
her role as Jennie Lee is Sharon Small
ambition of their productions, together
with the magical outdoor setting, makes who is every inch the remarkable woman
she portrays, a devoted wife and a
it unique in the capital’s cultural
landscape. In 2024, over 180,000 people political pioneer in her own right, with
Small's portrayal perfectly conveying
attended the 27-week summer season.
Lee's strength of character.
Drew McOnie assumed the role of
The visual and audible effects are
Artistic Director in January 2024, and
James Pidgeon was appointed Executive especially remarkable in their emotional
impact on stage, for example in the
Director in 2021.
anxiety conveyed by the simple
59
Photos: Johan Persson
incessant beating of the heart monitor, or
the horror generated by the laboured
breathing and projected X-ray of Bevan's
father's dying lungs. Despite the
darkness represented by such elements
of the play however, joy and laughter
exist throughout; be it in the merry song
performed by the cast, or the props used
(as in the case of the highly amusing
desk of Stephanie Jacob's Clement
Atlee.)
All in all, the play's return brings back
a well written and executed story of
hope, development and the
remembrance of a great and beloved
man. Audiences see Bevan's life from
‘cradle to grave’ and the beginnings of
the NHS, sharing emotionally in both the
fight to create this change and the joy
and justice that it has brought.
Olive Jenkins
Michael Sheen (Nye Bevan).
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