Outdoor arts: Where to see theatre, art, opera, comedy, film and music outside in London this summer
Keen for culture after months of peering at screens?
Here’s our pick of London’s arts in the open:
Theatre/opera
Jesus Christ Superstar
It’s a holy miracle. Just when you thought live theatre in London was over for 2020, the Evening Standard Award-winning revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock musical about the last weeks of Jesus’s life has risen from the dead. After sell-out runs at Regent’s Park and a summer season at the Barbican last year, it will be restaged in concert form with a reduced seating capacity. Praise the Lord.
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, NW1, Aug 14-Sep 27, openairtheatre.com
Greenwich+Docklands Festival
Time for a street party: the UK’s first full festival since lockdown will be taking place just around the corner, in Greenwich and east London. Marking its 25th year, performances will be delivered on people’s doorsteps as part of a reimagined programme for a socially distanced world. Highlights include a sci-fi dance theatre epic and an epic prose poem by Booker Prize winner Bernardine Evaristo inscribed into a Woolwich pavement.
Locations around Greenwich and east London, SE10, Aug 28-Sep 12, festival.org
ENO Drive & Live: La bohème
Get your gladrags on: opera is back. A new 90-minute version of Puccini’s La bohème will transport you to 19th-century Paris via the picturesque surroundings of Alexandra Palace for this drive-in show. A raised stage, big screens and a hi-tech sound system means you won’t miss a thing wherever you’re parked, but don’t fret if you don’t have a car: you can book a spot in an Uber or bring your bike.
Alexandra Palace, N22, 19-27 Sep, eno.org
Savitri
A new production by Hampstead Garden Opera of Gustav Holst’s tale of life, death, love and hope. Also it’s only 35 minutes long, which in this weather might be all we can bear, and means two performances per night, at 6.30pm and 8pm. HGO is dedicated to supporting singers at the start of their careers, so it’s a chance to hear the stars of tomorrow.
Lauderdale House, N6, 13, 15, 20 & 22 August, hgo.org.uk
Visual art
The Line
London’s first dedicated public art walk runs between the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the O2, following the waterways and the Greenwich Meridian. With changing works by the likes of Gary Hume, Richard Wilson, Joanna Rajkowska, Laura Ford and the new addition of Thomas J Price, it’s a snapshot of great contemporary work, dotted along a route that takes in London’s maritime heritage.
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, ongoing, the-line.org
Sculpture in the City
This is the ninth edition of the City of London-wide contemporary sculpture exhibition, extended until the autumn. Includes a pair of concrete armchairs by Nina Saunders, a neon declaration of intent by Shaun C Badham, a sign to Arcadia by Leo Fitzmaurice, a piece of terrifyingly contemporary classical figuration by Reza Aramesh and more. It’s the perfect way to animate the City, where the historic clashes and combines with the new.
City of London, to autumn, sculptureinthecity.org.uk
Comedy
MOREOutdoor at Regent’s Park
While Jesus and Judas have a wine in Gethsemane, the Open Air Theatre stage stretches its funny muscles. Rob Beckett, Jimmy Carr and Russell Brand all have headline slots, but the mixed bill nights are where it’s at. Two gigs with charity comedy night Canned Laughter combine the likes of Phil Wang, Mae Martin and Sophie Duker with raising funds for food banks. Finally, After Life star Kerry Godliman is joined by Judi Love and Russell Kane to round off the summer good times in September.
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, NW1, Aug 17-Sept 21, openairtheatre.com
Good Ship Comedy
All aboard the lol boat as north London comedy institution Good Ship Comedy voyages south. Docking at the New Normal festival in Wandsworth (a one-stop shop for all sorts of performing arts this summer) compère Ben Van der Velde introduces Sara Pascoe, Jessica Fostekew and Nathan Caton. The gig takes place in the beautiful walled courtyard at the Royal Victoria Patriotic Building, with the wafting scent of barbecue for the full summer vibes.
Royal Victoria Patriotic Building, SW18, Aug 21, newnormalfest.co.uk
The Chiswick Festival
Six nights of live comedy? It’s just like the old times. These comics have been banking up the new material and they’re ready to let loose. Angela Barnes, Suzi Ruffell, Simon Brodkin and Joel Dommett are on the line-ups, performing in the beautiful setting of Chiswick House and Gardens, as well as a brand new show from Red Dwarf’s ship computer, Norman Lovett.
Chiswick House and Gardens, W4, Aug 21-Sept 4, chiswickfestival.com
Comedy on the Terrace
Alexandra Palace is home to London’s largest beer garden, and you know what goes perfectly with a pint of lager? You guessed it: lols. Whether it’s Ed Gamble and Ahir Shah, or Lou Sanders and Glenn Moore, every Thursday evening will be dedicated to jokes on the terrace, while you munch street food delivered to your table.
Alexandra Palace, N22, August 13, 20, 27 and September 3, alexandrapalace.com
Music/clubs
The Brixton Courtyard
South London club Brixton Jamm has rejigged its al fresco space to launch the Brixton Courtyard. The DJ line-up is stellar (highlights include Horse Meat Disco, Shanti Celeste and Channel One) with drinks and street food delivered to each group’s private booth.
Brixton Jamm, SW9, to Sept 4, thebrixtoncourtyard.co.uk
Costa Del Tottenham
Swapping its sweaty indoor club for something more exotic, The Cause has expanded into three outdoor venues: a terrace, a beer hall and a raised deck. It’ll all be soundtracked by killer DJs, with drag queens, techno bingo and more on the cards.
The Cause, N17, to Sept 26, costadeltottenham.co.uk
Film
The Luna Cinema
One of the stalwarts of London’s outdoor cinema scene is back with new Covid-secure screenings this summer, popping up across London and the UK until October. After beginning with screenings of Joker and Rocketman at Hampton Court Palace last month, the programme is expanding in August and September with events at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, Dulwich Park and Wimbledon Park and plenty of other venues across the country.
Various locations, to Oct 4, thelunacinema.com
Bar Elba
Bar Elba, one of the best rooftop bars south of the river open this summer, is hosting film nights in August and September. Billed as ideal date-night material, the venue features table service and socially distanced seating. There are plenty of crowd-pleasers on the line-up, with screenings so far including La La Land, Back to the Future and Rocketman.
Bar Elba, SE1, to Oct 31, bar-elba.co.uk
Drive-in cinema at Alexandra Palace
Rooftop Film Club, normally a fixture at the Bussey Building in Peckham, is putting on some of the biggest drive-in screenings you’ll find in the capital. It’s one of the largest operations in London, with family-friendly hits like Grease and the Goonies the order of the day, running most days until September.
Alexandra Palace, N22, to Sept 9, rooftopfilmclub.com
This article has been updated to remove a reference to Alexandra Palace’s Kaleidoscope festival, which has now been cancelled.
