Why the Revival of BRIGADOON Will Enchant London This Summer

If you’re ready for an otherworldly experience, then pull up a chair, dear reader, because the long-awaited return of BRIGADOON is about to make your summer unforgettably spellbinding.

A cherished classic from the minds of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, BRIGADOON hasn’t graced London’s stages in over 35 years, which makes this new production at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre something of a theatrical unicorn. In a world chock-full of revivals, reboots, and reruns, you might ask: “Is this just another attempt to recycle an old musical for nostalgic ticket sales?” Absolutely not. The show’s creative team has gone above and beyond to ensure this is no dusty rehash. With an adaptation by Rona Munro and direction by the venue’s artistic director Drew McOnie, the musical has been lovingly reimagined for contemporary audiences—while still respecting the sense of timeless wonder that made it a classic in the first place.

For those unfamiliar with the storyline, the plot follows WWII fighter pilots Tommy and Jeff, whose plane goes down in the Scottish Highlands. There, they stumble upon the mysterious village of Brigadoon, which appears for only one day every hundred years. Meanwhile, sisters Fiona and Jean are preparing for a wedding in this quaint, dreamlike hamlet. The rest is a journey filled with romance, folklore, and dance numbers so jubilant you’ll think the cast is channelling a spirited Scottish ceilidh right before your eyes. For data buffs, consider this: the original 1947 Broadway production was such a runaway success that it ran for 581 performances—no mean feat in an era teeming with post-war shows vying for attention.

A Highland Dream At Regent’s Park

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is known for its immersive productions, where nature becomes part of the set. On a crisp summer evening, you might see a gentle breeze rustling through the leaves while the cast belts out show-stopping tunes. It’s a match made in theatrical heaven for a musical set amid the misty Highlands, don’t you think? Picture a real sunset illuminating the stage as the villagers of Brigadoon gather to sing Waitin’ for My Dearie or Almost Like Being in Love. There’s a palpable sense that this ephemeral world truly exists—especially when the elements themselves conspire to enhance the magic.

From a practical standpoint, the open-air setting also extends a delightful invitation for theatre fans to embrace a relaxed evening under the stars. Pack your cardigan and maybe a small blanket (we are in Britain, after all), but rest assured, once the music swells, you’ll feel the glow of the Highlands warming the stage.

Meet The Rising Star: Gilli Jones

Among the many reasons to snag your ticket, one of the brightest is the much-anticipated performance of Gilli Jones. Newly announced in the role of Charlie Dalrymple, Jones will be stepping into professional musical theatre for the very first time. Currently training on the BA Musical Theatre course at Royal Conservatoire Scotland, this young performer has already made waves by showcasing a captivating rendition of Come To Me, Bend To Me at the Palladium in an exclusive preview.

Insider tip: industry insiders are buzzing that Jones’s vocal range and sincerity will bring a fresh dimension to Charlie’s character. If you enjoy discovering up-and-coming talent before they become household names, here’s your chance to witness something special. Think of it as getting a sneak peek into the future luminaries of the West End—and perhaps beyond.

A Choreographic Legacy Revived

Anyone even mildly acquainted with BRIGADOON will recognise the name Agnes De Mille. One of the towering figures of Broadway, her original dances were nothing short of revolutionary, weaving classical ballet with the soulful vernacular of storytelling dance. This new production, helmed by director-choreographer Drew McOnie, promises to honour that legacy. McOnie’s track record for dynamic, athletic choreography (he won the Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreography in 2016) suggests that we can expect an electrifying fusion of old and new. De Mille’s iconic style—full of sweeping, lyrical sequences—will be threaded through McOnie’s own fresh take, bridging the gap between mid-20th-century grace and 21st-century energy.

The Women (And Men) Behind The Scenes

Musicals are like icebergs. The audience sees a spectacular performance above the waterline, while an even bigger team of creatives, designers, and technicians work tirelessly beneath the surface. For this revival, the creative roster reads like a who’s who of theatrical innovation. Laura Bangay serves as musical director, ensuring every note swells with emotion, while Basia Bińkowska has designed the set—no small task when you’re creating an entire Scottish village that appears once a century in a London park.

Casting director Will Burton has assembled a talent-packed ensemble, as evidenced by the likes of Danielle Fiamanya (playing Fiona) and Louis Gaunt (playing Tommy), in addition to the newly announced Gilli Jones. Meanwhile, Sami Fendall’s costumes will transport us straight to 1940s Scotland, with a dash of ethereal whimsy for that Brigadoon mystique. The hair, wigs, and make-up courtesy of Carol Hancock (associate designer and supervisor) promise period authenticity, while Cory Hippolyte steps in as associate director to keep the show’s vision cohesive. Voice coaching by Hazel Holder and dialect expertise from Morag Stark will ensure we get those Scottish lilts just right. Lighting designer Jessica Hung Han Yun will blend nature’s evening glow with strategic stage brilliance, and Nick Lidster for Autograph leads the sound design. There’s even an intimacy director, Ingrid Mackinnon, attesting to how thoughtful modern productions have become in ensuring actors’ welfare. Ebony Molina handles associate choreography, and the ever-important music supervision and orchestration come from Sarah Travis—a role that ensures each musical element coheres into one seamless experience.

The Untold Tale Beneath The Tartan

A fascinating detail that often slips under the radar is the wartime context in which BRIGADOON is set. While the show brims with romance and enchantment, it’s also a subtle commentary on a world grappling with the aftermath of conflict. Tommy and Jeff, WWII fighter pilots, aren’t just there to serve as love interests; they carry the weight of a war-torn generation. In 1947, audiences were only just beginning to recover from the global conflict, and the idea of stumbling upon a tranquil village untouched by modern devastation felt like a beacon of hope. That emotional undercurrent still resonates today—particularly for anyone looking for a momentary escape from the rigours of our unpredictable world. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons this revival feels so timely: in a hectic age, who wouldn’t yearn for a Brigadoon of their own?

Statistics That Speak Volumes

To give more context for those who thrive on real-world figures: musicals set in open-air venues have seen a steady rise in popularity, with Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre alone reporting audience growth of nearly 20% over the past five years. This surge indicates not only a thirst for live performance but also an appreciation for the atmospheric possibilities an outdoor space provides. With ticket sales forecasted to climb as international travel rebounds, industry experts predict this production of BRIGADOON might just be one of the most talked-about events of the season.

A Final Thought To Carry With You

Musical theatre’s true magic lies in its ability to make an audience believe in something bigger than themselves, if only for a few cherished hours. Perhaps the real lesson of BRIGADOON—and it’s one that never grows old—is that wonder can still exist in the most unexpected corners of our lives, so long as we dare to go looking for it. If your heart isn’t already set ablaze by the promise of sweeping dances and romantic melodies, consider this: you might just find your own Brigadoon in the process. And when the final notes fade into the night sky above Regent’s Park, you’ll realise that part of you will always remain in that mystical Highland village.

So, my fellow theatre aficionados, mark your calendars and ready your best tartan scarf. BRIGADOON is stepping out of the mists once more, and if you miss it, you might be waiting another century. Or, at the very least, another 35 years. Let this revival remind us that even in the bustle of modern life, there’s room for a little bit of magic—and sometimes, all it takes is a chance encounter in an enchanted glen to keep that spark alive.