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 are on sale now! 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.
Sherlock Holmes
Presented by OVO By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Adapted and Directed by Mark O’Sullivan A thrilling new mashup of Sir...
The Importance Of Being Earnest
Presented by OVO By Oscar Wilde Adapted and Directed by Adam Nichols “The truth is rarely pure and never simple”...
As You Like It
Presented by OVO By William Shakespeare Adapted and Directed by Adam Nichols 1967. Pressured by the generation gap, lovers Rosalind...
The (Almost) Complete History of Britain
Presented by The Pantaloons Mud, blood and stiff upper-lips! Have you ever wanted to see the life of Henry VIII...
The Scarlet Pimpernel
Presented by Ha Hum Ah Adapted from the novel by Baroness Orczy by Ben Kernow In this fast, funny three-actor...
Company
Presented by Act4Theatre Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Book By George Furth Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick Originally Produced and...
Twelfth Night
Presented by OVO’s Youth Ensemble By William Shakespeare Directed by Faith Turner After a violent shipwreck tears twins Sebastian and...
SEASON TICKETS
Our Standard and Premium Season Tickets provide the best value entry to the festival, together with fantastic extra benefits.
Our 2026 Premium Season Ticket includes entry to all theatre, music and comedy shows, premium under-cover seating, 2 free tickets for friends and family during the season, a complimentary drink at every performance plus 20% bar discount, and an invite to our launch event.
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Our 2026 Season Ticket includes entry to each of the four OVO theatre productions, plus your choice of either The Scarlet Pimpernel or The (Almost) Complete History Of Britain, and 10% discount on drinks and snacks at our bar.
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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.