This summer, experience the joy of open air performance in the breathtaking setting of the Roman Theatre of Verulamium. Gather with friends and family to soak up the atmosphere as the sun sets behind the stage, feeling the echoes of the past in a venue that has hosted drama since Roman times.
From 5th June to 31st August, the OVO Roman Theatre Open Air Festival presents a season of bold, imaginative, and surprising productions. Enjoy our own acclaimed shows alongside performances from carefully selected visiting companies, plus a lovingly curated lineup of music and comedy nights. Eat, drink, and share special moments on long summer nights.
2026 SEASON
Tickets for the Festival go on general sale from 20th February 2026. OVO Season Ticket Holders receive exclusive Priority Booking – with Premium Season Ticket holders able to book from 6th February, and Standard Season Ticket holders from 13th February.
Alongside these seven theatre productions, we’ll soon be adding even more to the season, including a series of fantastic music events and, for the very first time at the Roman Theatre Festival, a lineup of brilliant comedy nights.
SEASON TICKETS and EARLY BIRD OFFER
Our Standard and Premium Season Tickets provide the best value entry to the festival, together with fantastic extra benefits including Priority Booking.
Our Early Bird Season Ticket offer runs from 6th – 13th February 2026.
Our 2026 Premium Season Ticket includes entry to all theatre, music and comedy shows, access to premium covered seating, 2 free tickets for friends and family, a complimentary drink at every performance plus 20% bar discount, and an invite to our launch event.
Festival booking for Premium Season Ticket holders opens TODAY, 6th February ahead of general release on 20th February, so buy a premium season ticket today and you will be able to book your tickets straight away.
Usual price £240, Festival Launch Early Bird Offer 6th-13th February 2026 just £204.
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Our 2026 Season Ticket includes entry to four OVO and one visiting company theatre shows and 10% discount on drinks and snacks at our bar.
Festival booking for Standard Season Ticket holders opens on 13th February ahead of general release on 20th February.
Usual price £80, Festival Launch Early Bird Offer 6th-13th February 2026 just £72.
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ABOUT THE VENUE
Dating back to 140 AD, The Roman Theatre of Verulamium is the oldest producing theatre in the UK. Its exciting past featured everything from dancing to wrestling, religious processions to armed combat, until the stage came into greater use for drama in 180 AD. By 300AD, the theatre was developed to seat 2000 spectators.
The unearthing of the ruins in 1847 revealed this glorious, lost chapter of Hertfordshire history. For the past 12 years, the Theatre and its beautiful surroundings have become the breathtaking backdrop for the OVO Roman Theatre Open Air Festival, where you become a new part of Britain’s incredible history of theatre.
Aerial footage: Greenwood Drones
ABOUT OVO
OVO is an award winning theatre production company based in St Albans, Hertfordshire. Founded in 2003, OVO has staged well over 100 bold, imaginative and surprising new versions of classic plays and stories.
In 2025 Ralph Fiennes, Dame Joanna Lumley, Brian Cox CBE and Zoë Wanamaker CBE became OVO Patrons, helping to spearhead the creation of a new Barn Theatre in St Albans, housing a permanent repertory company.