Blowin' in the wind ... Storms have threatened outdoor stages this summer. Photograph: Patrick Pleul/EPA
It's not exactly the most serious consequence of this summer's unseasonably wet weather, but the relentless rain of the last few weeks has proved a nightmare (well, a slight frustration) for those hoping to attend open-air theatre performances.
Last week, I had tickets for the current production of the Gershwins' Lady Be Good at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. On the morning of the day in question, the sky was looking alarmingly angry and by mid-afternoon, it started to rain in earnest. Hoping that things would clear up, I packed a jumper and a faintly embarrassing hat but, by the evening, the rain was even heavier, verging on the horizontal.
There are limits to what one can comfortably sit through, and it became clear that there was no way the show was going on. Fortunately, staff at the box office were apologetic and accommodating, offering me tickets for another night - or even another show in a subsequent season.
The chance of being rained off is one of the hazards - and, some would argue, thrills - of the open-air theatre experience. As both the auditorium and stage at the Open Air Theatre are completely uncovered, they have a formal weather policy in place, never abandoning a performance before the advertised starting time unless the weather is particularly severe. On average, less than nine performances (out of more than 150) are cancelled each summer as a result of the weather.
Unfortunately, there's been something of an abundance of severe weather this year and it's not just the Regent's Park theatre that has been affected. Many regional open-air performances, like those at Hever Castle's Lakeside Theatre, have fallen foul of the forecast.
However, staff at the UK's most famous open-to-the-elements theatre, the Globe, remain relaxed. The theatre reports that audience numbers have not been affected by the grim weather and no shows have been cancelled. Indeed, the Globe has only ever cancelled one performance and that was following the July 7 bombings.
Both the seated areas and the stage are covered, and it's only the yard, where a standing ticket will set you back £5, that is actually exposed. Plastic macs are sold by the theatre should the heavens open, though many regular Globe-trotters bring their own rain gear just in case. Indeed, many people would argue that a bit of drizzle simply adds to the whole Globe experience. What do you think?
