7 magical open-air theatres

With candle- and moon-lit performances, barbecues and picnics and surreal settings, these are the world’s seven most magical open-air theatres.

Shakespeare in the Park in NYC, USA

Right in the middle of New York’s Central Park, this summer theatre programme offers free open-air productions that have starred the likes of Meryl Streep, Al Pacino and Denzel Washington. The Delacorte Theater serves as the stage, with the Belvedere Castle folly standing tall in the background. Though tickets are free, they are also highly sought-after and offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so you’ll have to be prepared to queue outside the theatre as soon as they become available. Treat yourself to a stay at the glamorous 1 Hotel Central Park, or opt for the budget-friendly option at HI NYC Hostel, just a 10-minute walk from Central Park.

The Globe Theatre in London, UK

The spiritual home of all Shakespeare fans, London’s Globe is a must-visit for experiencing al fresco theatre. The building that now stands on the banks of the Thames – on the site of the original Elizabethan playhouse – is a replica built under the direction of actor Sam Wanamaker. With timber beams and balconies, a circular thatched roof and a pit where ‘groundlings’ can watch a play for a fraction of the price, it’s as authentic as they come. Throughout the summer, traditional Shakespearean performances and avant-garde plays grace this historic stage, including Hamlet, Othello and an actor-led production of As You Like It. Stay four minutes’ walk from the Globe in this delightful Southwark hotel.

Epidaurus in Peloponnese, Greece

This ancient Greek theatre, constructed in the 4th century, is renowned for its remarkable acoustics; it’s said that from any one of the 14,000 seats, you’re able to hear a pin drop on the stage. Built on the west side of Cynortion Mountain, this ancient stone amphitheatre overlooks the undulating, olive grove-covered Peloponnesian Peninsula, and is widely considered to be the finest example of all ancient Greek theatres. Catch a performance here as part of The Epidaurus Festival, which takes place each year during the summer months. Stay close to the theatre at Epidavros Seascape, also just a few minutes’ walk from the beach.

Roman Theatre in Mérida, Spain

Stepping into the semicircular space of Mérida’s Roman Theatre – a magnificently-preserved archaeological relic – feels like walking onto a film set. It was built circa 16 BCE to seat 6,000 spectators but was buried underground until it was excavated in 1910. Today, the theatre hosts the annual Mérida Classical Theatre Festival (Festival Internacional de Teatro Clásico de Mérida). Watching the work of Sophocles, Homer and Plato so passionately performed while surrounded by tiers of ancient marble columns and decorative statues is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Stay in a restored 15th-century palace in the centre of the city, Hotel Ilunion Mérida Palace.

Arena di Verona in Verona, Italy

Though technically a venue for opera and large-scale concerts rather than theatre (Adele and One Direction both recently played here), the Arena di Verona is so spectacular that it simply has to make the list. A Roman amphitheatre built in the first century CE, it originally seated 30,000 people for festivals and gory gladiator fights but now you can book tickets for performances of Aida, Carmen and a number of other classic operas. Candles are distributed throughout the audience before the show and the sight of the arena glittering after sunset is quite something. Check into La Corte guest house, with Renaissance-style suites and a location just 400 metres from the Arena.

Sundance Summer Theatre in Utah, USA

Forget the film festival, Sundance’s annual theatre event is where it’s at; since 2008, the Sundance Summer Theatre has been hosting open-air musicals against a backdrop of pine trees and snow-capped mountains. Previous productions include Oklahoma brought to life in this splendid setting, with a barbecue dinner starting at 6pm each evening before the show. Stay in a cabin with mountain views in Sundance’s Bearlodge Mountain Resort.

Minack Theatre in Cornwall, UK

Carved into the granite cliffside hundreds of feet above the Cornish surf, this small outdoor theatre setting is totally surreal. It was a labour of love for local theatre-lover, Rowena Cade, who constructed the whole thing with a team of gardeners during the winter of 1931. The theatre put on its first play – The Tempest – the following year, with lighting provided by car headlights. Now, from April to September, the summer season sees the theatre’s 800 terraced stone seats fill up each evening for productions on a stone stage against the moonlit sea backdrop of Porthcurno Bay. Stay a 10-minute drive from the theatre at the lovely Stablerooms, just a short walk from the beach.