Brigadoon – Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Louis Gaunt and Danielle Fiamanya in Brigadoon at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, London. Picture: Mark Senior

Brigadoon continues at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, London until 20 September 2025.

Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩

This new adaptation of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe’s 1947 magical musical Brigadoon, not revived in London for nearly 40 years, was never going to be as radical as Daniel Fish’s recent take on Oklahoma! Instead, director/choreographer (and the venue’s artistic director) Drew McOnie and writer Rona Munro have been even more imaginative than that, staying true to the tone of the original piece while making some creative refinements which surely will resonate with a modern audience.

I first came across the piece as a young fan of movie musicals – the screen version starred Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse – but it’s likely plenty of Open Air audience members will be coming new to the story now set during the Second World War. Two injured American airmen Louis Gaunt’s Tommy and Cavan Clarke’s Jeff (in the original, tourists on a hunting trip) are stranded in the West Highlands when, out of the mist, they discover a whole village which only wakes up for one day every 100 years.

As a result, the villagers have created a world protected from outside conflict in which family, love and tradition are key – all of which are exemplified in the wedding of Charlie (Gilli Jones) and Jean (Jasmine Jules Andrews), taking place that very day.

While Jeff is cynical about the whole supernatural set-up, Tommy is not just falling in love with his new surroundings, but with the bride’s sister Fiona (Danielle Fiamanya). And the feelings are reciprocated.

This might all sound sillily romantic; how could Tommy and Fiona feel so deeply in love with one another within the space of a day that they know they want to spend the rest of their lives together?

Yet the real achievement of the production is that it seems totally believable that these characters would make this pledge, surrounded by the beauty of a landscape that evokes a life where the priorities of kindness, love and friendship are paramount – it is the antithesis of what lies beyond the village boundary. And wouldn’t we all see something to savour in that.

While the dialogue can occasionally seem a little stilted, the right balance is struck between staying true to the Scottish language, culture and traditions at the heart of the story and the modern sensibility of the characterisations and staging.

From the moment the action opens with the distinctive sound of bagpipes and drums, McOnie brings a beauty and physicality to the way the drama flows, and in particular to the expressive choreography, whether it is in the joyful atmosphere of the wedding preparations, the sweet intimacy of Charlie and Jean’s courtship or the growing desire of Tommy and Fiona (the inspiration of Agnes De Mille who created the original dances can be felt too).

Sometimes there is no need for words, the storytelling is all the movement, such as during the wedding celebrations when Harry (Danny Nattrass), the childhood friend of Jean who was desperate to marry her, cannot control his resentment and jealousy any longer, or when Tommy knows he wants a future with Fiona in ‘There But For You Go I’.

The presence of Harry, and even more so that of Tommy’s comrade Jeff, hint at the precariousness of life in Brigadoon, offering a whole different perspective on whether life there can remain as unspoiled as the people wish it to be.

Not only that, but we are left with layers of meaning, pondering how much we want to believe in the myth presented to us, or whether we are dreaming with Tommy of a place of immortality where love is transcendental.

The park is the perfect setting for the musical as the breeze slightly picks up on a balmy evening and leaves float down from the tress onto Basia Bińkowska’s wooden sloping set. As the evening progresses, the landscape blossoms as Tommy and Fiona sing of ‘The Heather on the Hill’ and the beautiful, rugged terrain becomes a place where all emotions are played out.

Add the glowing orange, yellow and brown tones of Jessica Hung Han Yun’s lighting and the whole affair is wonderfully atmospheric. Look closely and there are tiny details to relish, not least in Sami Fendall’s costume design, again mixing the classic and contemporary, adding a touch of pink to the colour palate for the nuptials (the tartan has been specially designed for the production).

Amongst a talented ensemble that brings an authenticity and joy to the proceedings, it would be wrong not to mention the touching bond between Gilli Jones and Jasmine Jules Andrews, alongside Danny Nattrass, Norman Bowman (as Harry’s father) and Chrissy Brooke (her dance when Harry is lost has huge impact) who bring real dramatic weight to their emotional struggles. In contrast, Nic Myers, as Meg, performs the more comic numbers with energy and gusto.

Ultimately, though, Brigadoon would be impossible to pull off without a convincing central couple and Louis Gaunt and Danielle Fiamanya (sharing the role with Georgina Onuorah) already have a believable chemistry and bring a depth of love and passion to their roles. Helping them raise the audience’s spirits is a fine band led by musical director Laura Bangay (musical supervisor and orchestrator is the excellent Sarah Travis).

So, do we leave the theatre, strolling through Regent’s Park, checking on our priorities, having a little bit more faith in humanity, tentatively hoping for a different future? I certainly did.

Lisa Martland