Scarborough Open Air Theatre is a mixed entertainment venue set on a lake in Scarborough’s Northstead Manor Gardens. Its stage is on an island in the middle of the water while the audience has seating on the eastern bank. Throughout the summer months Scarborough Open Air Theatre has a busy schedule of music, theater and sporting events.
The first theater opened here in 1932 and premiered with a production of Edward German’s comedy opera Merrie England. At the time, the seating area was carved into a dune slack and created a natural amphitheater. For often sold-out events the crowds would spill over onto the grass banks on either sides of the seats. The theater ceased to operate in 1986 and reopened in 2010 with a grand ceremony attended by Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh.
Today the theater attracts some of the biggest names in the music industry. Among previous performers are the rhythm and blues singer Lionel Richie, reggae band UB40 and surf rock band The Beach Boys. Opera singers, classical vocal groups and DJs also take to the stage. Matches during the FIFA World Cup of soccer have also been shown here on big screens.
The theater is approximately 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) to the north of Scarborough’s town center. There are two metered car parks within comfortable walking distance of the venue. Also in Northstead Manor Gardens is North Bay Railway, a miniature train that travels through Peasholm Park and along the coastline. Have fun on the rope bridges of the SkyTrail Adventure, ride a pedal boat across the lake and splash into the water on an antique water chute.
Events at Scarborough Open Air Theatre usually take place during summer. Purchase tickets via the theater’s official website, by phone or at the box office, which opens daily. On event days, tickets are available for purchase up until the main acts begin their show.
