Carousel - Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

I've had a week to think about it, and I'm pushing my review from a 3 star to 4 star. I've been thinking about the show for days! 

I didn't have much of an investment as it's not one of my favourite musicals by any means....

But interesting like you've said about the divided opinion.

I would be honestly quite shocked if it transferred.

I've seen this four times now and it has really found its feet and is a very good four star show in my view. It deserves to be recorded purely for the orchestrations, which Tom Deering really should be recognised for.

Closed off the season with an excellent show tonight.

My first experience on the grass bank. A bit of a risk, but it turned out to be dry and with an excellent view. I'm very glad I took a blanket and cushion with me. Lots of room too. You do get a bit dazzled by the light at some points.

Another great thing about the grass banks is you're a long way away from the chatters in the audience. The people around me were very good. A group of Italians in front, who had managed to take in a flask of (I presume) coffee, but sat enthralled, especially the cute male couple who went from cuddling to rigidity during the second half when they realised where the show was going.

The worst part of the noise was people outside the auditorium talking just by the grass bank, which I presume was completely unaware hospitality staff. Otherwise, the sound is great and you're right by the speakers.

Lots of clapping and cheering, but at polite levels, plus a full house standing ovation at the end. The band all came on to bow, which was a nice touch. Some of the ensemble were crying, but there were no speeches and it was business as usual as everyone was quickly ushered out.

Oh, and I used the cubicle immediately after an Irish west end star, but all I will report is he left it tidy! I'm sure there were plenty of actors in, but he was the only one I spotted.

This production did really grow on me, especially after they simplified and improved the ending. There are quite a few subtle places where they've found new meaning. It is still hurt by some of the cuts. But I do hope this version of the music can be used again, even if the production itself doesn't get to live on.

After our original show was never completed due to the rain last month, I left last night feeling a little underwhelmed now that I’ve seen the full production. I’ve since discovered that lengthy drawn out interpretive dance sequences really aren’t my thing. There seemed to be a lot of subtext in the plot that went unexplored, and none of the characters really felt fully developed.

There were some belting performances though, and watching a production under the cover of night in the OAT is really a lovely experience in itself.

Always felt when have visited the theatre that it had a built in London audience rather than relying on tourism and normally seems to be booked up well in advance so it's been surprisingly that seats have been easy to come by compared to previous years sell outs.
Being outdoors it should have been a safer option covid wise and the weather does not seem to be any worst than previous years.
Is it possible people are not so enamoured with the theatres insistence on re-invention as previous carousel productions seem to have done better than this one or is it just a very limited appeal and just hit by people revisiting the old favourite if they are going to the theatre.