Scarborough Open Air Theatre

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Scarborough Open Air Theatre
McFly @ Scarborough Open Air Theatre 2025, Preshow Stage and Seating L.jpg
Scarborough Open Air Theatre in 2025
Scarborough Open Air Theatre
AddressNorthstead Manor Gardens
Burniston Road
YO12 6PF
Scarborough
England
Coordinates 54°17′42″N0°24′43″W / 54.295°N 0.412°W / 54.295; -0.412
TypeOutdoor theatre
Capacity 8,000
Current useMulti-use
Construction
Opened1932
Rebuilt2010
Years active1932–1986; 2010–
Website
Official website

Scarborough Open Air Theatre (commonly abbreviated the SOAT or OAT) is an outdoor theatre in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England. It was built in Northstead Manor Gardens in 1932, and originally closed in 1986 but was reopened in May 2010.

Contents

History

The stage area and lake in July 1960 during a production of Summer Holiday Scarborough Open Air Theatre, July 1960 (geograph 5244181).jpg
The stage area and lake in July 1960 during a production of Summer Holiday

The Scarborough Open Air Theatre was opened on the grounds of Northstead Manor Gardens in 1932 by Lord Mayor of London Sir Percy Greenaway, 1st Baronet, with the first performance at the theatre being a production of comic opera Merrie England . Uniquely for an outdoor venue, the stage area was situated on a island formed in a lake, with a five-block seating area on the opposite end of the lake having a capacity of 5,876 seats. [1] [2]

Two performances a week were usually held at the theatre during the summer period, with game show It's a Knockout , held every Wednesday, commonly drawing large crowds to the theatre and setting an unofficial attendance record of 11,000. Musicals at the theatre ceased by 1968 following a performance of West Side Story , [2] and the venue further declined in 1977 with the demolition of dressing rooms and the island stage, as well as the removal of seating. The theatre closed in 1986 following a final performance by James Last and His Orchestra. [1]

Reopening

In 2008, planning permission was received for a major renovation. [3] The £3.5 million scheme to transform the Open Air Theatre was completed in May 2010. [4] [5]

The theatre was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, on 20 May 2010. [6] Initially after reopening, the capacity of the theatre was 6,500; this was increased to 8,000 in 2017 when part of the lake area was covered over. [7]

Events

The stage area in June 2022 Temporary stage, Scarborough Open Air Theatre (geograph 7216560).jpg
The stage area in June 2022

The venue stages a mixed entertainment programme including music concerts, opera productions and community events. Many British and international acts perform at the venue. [8]

During the World Cup 2010, all England football matches were shown live on a large TV screen for free.

In September 2017 music promoters Cuffe & Taylor signed a ten-year deal with Scarborough Borough Council to bring concerts to the venue for the next ten years. [9]

90,000 people attended concerts at the venue in 2018, [10] setting a new audience record for the venue and bringing an estimated £7 million to the local economy. [11] In December 2018 the venue was used to host the Scarborough Sparkle Christmas event with an ice rink and Christmas market. [12]

The venue's attendance record was broken during the 2024 season, with a combined total of 116,606 people attending 18 concerts, the last of which was held in September by the band Busted. [13]

References

  1. 1 2 "Open air theatre reopens with help from Jose Carreras". BBC News. 22 July 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Scarborough Open Air Theatre: A brief history" (PDF). Scarborough Borough Council. 18 October 2018. pp. 3–8. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  3. "Open Air Theatre Scarborough". Theatres Trust. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  4. "Scarborough's Open Air Theatre". Scarborough Evening News. 11 January 2010. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  5. "Borough News Winter". Scarborough Borough Council.[ dead link ]
  6. "Queen opens Scarborough open air theatre". BBC News. 20 May 2010. Retrieved 21 May 2010.
  7. "Good News for Scarborough's Open Air Theatre". Yorkshire Coast Radio. 19 January 2017. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  8. "Paul Reveals Vision for Open Air Theatre". Scarborough Evening News.
  9. "Scarborough OAT Concerts Confirmed For Next Ten Years". Yorkshire Coast Radio. 12 September 2017. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  10. "Record-Breaking Summer Season For Scarborough OAT". Yorkshire Coast Radio. 23 August 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  11. "OAT Brings £7m Boost to Scarborough". Yorkshire Coast Radio. 12 October 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  12. "Start Of Scarborough Sparkle Event At The Open Air Theatre". Yorkshire Coast Radio. 30 November 2018. Retrieved 6 December 2018.
  13. Atkins, Duncan (3 September 2024). "Record-breaking season at Scarborough's Open Air Theatre with 114,000 tickets sold for 18 gigs". The Scarborough News. Retrieved 19 July 2025.

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