I love going to the theatre. When I sit in my seat, listening to the orchestra tune up, looking around at all the grandeur of the auditorium, my stomach flutters with anticipation of the spectacle to come. But while the seat is invariably upholstered in soft red velvet and is most comfortable, I would equally appreciate a hard stone seat or a folding chair – for if there is one thing I enjoy more than watching a live performance in a theatre, it is watching the performance in the open air.

One of the best evenings of my life was spent watching a production of the Sleeping Beauty ballet under the stars. The atmosphere was absolutely incredible, and it heightened every emotion wrought by Tchaikovsky’s music and the beautiful dancing. Where was I? The Odeon of Herodes Atticus at the Acropolis, Athens, Greece.

The theatre dates all the way back to 161 AD, when it was built by the aristocrat Herodes Atticus in memory of his beloved wife, Aspasia Annia Regilla. Such a historic place, imbued with meaning; an absolutely spectacular setting for the show.  No wonder I was inspired to write a novel set in Greece – Aphrodite’s Tears.

Today, I am sharing with you some other venues around the world that make for unforgettable open-air theatre. I hope you have the chance to see a production outside this coming summer, even just in your local park; there is nothing better than nature as a backdrop. 

The Minack Theatre, England

This theatre, on a rocky outcrop jutting into the ocean in Cornwall, was built in 1932 by a lady named Rowena Cade on her land, for local players to put on a production of The Tempest. Can you imagine the tempestuous sea as the backdrop for this first show? No wonder it was such a hit, and from there Miss Cade continued to develop the theatre, before giving it to a charitable trust in 1976. It is now widely agreed to be one of the most wonderful theatres in the world, and it attracts both tourists and theatregoers.

[Credit: Harald Bischoff]

The Greek Theatre, Spain

The Teatre Grec is situated on the Montjuïc mountain overlooking the city of Barcelona. It was designed by a Catalan architect for the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition and was inspired by the Ancient Greek Epidaurus theatre. Since 1976, the theatre has been the main venue for the summertime outdoor cultural event for the city, the Grec Festival. 

The Seebühne, Austria

The Bregenz performing arts festival has been held annually in Bregenz, Austria, since 1946. There, you find a 7,000 seat open-air amphitheatre overlooking the Seebühne, which is a stage that floats on Lake Constance. The staging is often very dramatic, as in the following photo.

The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Theatre, China

Upon Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, near Lijiang, China, at an altitude of more than 3,100 metres, you can watch the Impression Show. No less than five hundred actors from the local villages participate, showcasing with song and dance their different cultural traditions, all against the breathtaking backdrop of the mountain range.