St Albans, England – The ancient Roman Theatre of Verulamium once again buzzed with life this summer as OVO’s Open‑Air Festival welcomed over 15,000 theatre lovers. Built in 140 AD, the stone‑walled stage is the oldest surviving theatre in Britain still producing shows, and the festival has become a beloved highlight for the city and surrounding communities.
Historic roots, modern energy
St Albans ranks among the three largest Roman cities in Britain, alongside London and Cirencester. The ruins date back to at least 50 BC, and the theatre itself was named the No. 1 surviving outdoor venue on the British Isles by The Telegraph for two consecutive years. Founded in 2003, OVO has staged more than 100 inventive adaptations of classic works, turning the ancient stone into a vibrant cultural hub.
Adam Nichols – educator, entrepreneur, cultural champion
Behind the festival is Adam Nichols, whose career spans child acting, education policy and entrepreneurship. After appearing with Sir Antony Sher in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s 1985 production of Richard III, Nichols founded a network of schools in East Africa, advised former Prime Ministers Gordon Brown and David Cameron on youth policy, and served on education boards in Britain and abroad. Returning to his theatrical roots, he launched the Open‑Air Festival in 2014, rescued St Albans’ Maltings Theatre from closure, and helped transform the former Hornsey Road Baths in London into an arts venue.
Festival highlights 2026
This year’s lineup leans heavily on comedy, featuring two Shakespeare productions, a witty literary adaptation, and a fresh take on Oscar Wilde’s classic farce, The Importance of Being Earnest. Nichols and his company invited visiting theatre groups to share the stage, expanding the festival’s reach beyond its own productions.
Audiences praised the outdoor setting for breaking down barriers between performers and spectators. “Working outdoors really creates a communal sense that changes the quality of the performance,” Nichols said. About 60 % of attendees came from St Albans and nearby Harpenden, while the remaining 40 % traveled from London and farther afield, underscoring the festival’s growing regional draw.
Creative adaptations and community impact
In a bold reinterpretation of Wilde’s play, Nichols set the story in the Roaring 20s and infused it with modern songs by artists such as RAYE, Madonna, Lizzo and Eminem. The musical choices are carefully selected to enhance storytelling, replace dialogue where needed, and resonate with today’s audiences. Nichols also emphasized stronger, more confident portrayals of the female characters, offering a fresh perspective on classic material.
The festival not only entertains but also supports local businesses. Restaurants, cafés and boutique shops report increased patronage during the summer weeks, and the event provides seasonal employment for actors, technicians and volunteers from the community.
Looking ahead
Beyond the summer season, Nichols is overseeing the conversion of an 18th‑century barn and sports pavilion into a permanent repertory theatre, ensuring that St Albans will have a year‑round venue for high‑quality productions. His work earned a place on The Stage 100 list in 2021, recognizing his influence on British theatre.
As the festival continues to grow, Nichols remains grateful for the historic legacy that makes the experience possible. “For about 1,700 years the space lay silent; now we bring it back to life,” he reflected. “If the Romans could see us performing, they’d be pleasantly surprised.”
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
