to consider not attending open air theatre tomorrow?

[blameitonthecaffeine]

I have tickets for 101 Dalamatians at Regents Park Open Air Theatre tomorrow afternoon. It's a 2:15 start and it's supposed to be 35 degrees. There is no shade or cover and they don't (obviously) allow umbrellas to be up during the performance. They only cancel performances if it hits 40 degrees.

I'm taking my 4 younger children (between 9 and 15). The younger 3 all want to go, the oldest doesn't mind. We are allowed to wear sun hats and I'll obviously take water, suncream, sunglasses and cover shoulders.

We bought cheap tickets but that's still £125 wasted if we don't go. I am leaning towards thinking it's fine to go but my husband thinks it's dangerous to stay in the direct sun for so long mid afternoon.

Would you still go?

Can you leave part way through if the kids start feeling the heat? Take ice towels, frozen bottles of water. The problem is that children aren't able to regulate temperature in the same way as adults so full sun can be quite dangerous

Bring Sundays
Slap on sunscreen
Bring cold water
Towels to hide under blah blah etc

Or.

Just dont go

I dont care. If you got that kinda money to just waste

Freezing water bottles tonight is a good idea.

We could leave at the interval, yes. We're not end of row so I wouldn't want to interrupt other people's experience leaving at any other point unless it was an emergency.

I wouldn't go irrespective of what I had paid

No. I wouldn't go. I fainted once in the Globe trying to tough it out in similar heat (after cheaping out on a standing ticket) lesson learned.

Big hat. Lots of sunscreen. Plenty of water. Linen shirt or similar coverup

I wouldn’t go, certainly with children in tow

It's always horrible there, at a matinee, on a hot day, and tomorrow's going to be disgustingly hot. I certainly wouldn't go.

I wouldn't go, personally. 35 is too hot to be out in full sun for a long period.

Hmm, with so many people thinking no, I half think their cancellation (or at least optional refund) bar should be 30, not 40. But I guess that wouldn't be viable for them.

I know the logical truth is that if you have the money to spend you obviously also have the money to waste. But it feels very different to spend the money on nothing.

My 9 year old twins were so upset at bedtime at the prospect of not going so we're going to suck it up and make the best of it. Large water bottles and cool blocks in the freezer and hats, cream and sunglasses at the ready. Ugh!

We're all pretty good with heat abroad. Hope that translates to the UK!

Maybe also take umbrellas for the time you're waiting

How are you getting there is it a quick journey.

we went to a sporting event yesterday, I was quite worried about it and how hot it would be. But it was fine, and we enjoyed it. But we end with the attitude that if it was too hot we would leave. Take iced drinks, hats, cream and ice blocks.

Well, it's a dry heat at the moment, isn't it? Hopefully more similar to the kind of heat abroad. You'll just have to play it by ear, and monitor the kids as you go along.

I was there in similar weather a few years ago. Blistering heat, no shade, no breeze. I got awfully sunburned and fainted on my way out. I wouldn't go again in the daytime.

I know open air is their selling point but they really need some sort of marquee-style sun shade over the audience there.

You could not pay me to sit out in that blazing sun.
I was stuck waiting the other day in an area without shade, for 10 minutes and by neck is badly burned. I’m kicking myself l let it happen but I don’t think it’s safe to be out in it at all.

it’s a big no from me and I would lie my hole off and say it was cancelled. All the best.

Totally depends where you are sitting. We just went to that show the other week. All seats on the left hand side (when facing the stage) are in shade from the beginning. The shade moves as the afternoon goes on but only ever reaches about half way across. Those in full sun suffered. Many left part way through. The sun is relentless unless you are in the shade. The show was fabulous by the way!

I wouldn't go.

gokartdilly yes, that's a good idea.

FreddieFox we live in fairly central London so it's only a relatively short trip. Frozen things should still be cold at least, even if not frozen.

perime yes, I totally agree. To be fair, I've never had to worry about heat there before but rain is a common problem. If heatwaves become more common, it is irresponsible of them to almost force people into becoming as ill as you did.

I went when it was about 25 degrees and left feeling very unwell. Though as PP said if you are on the left you will be ok. I was dripping in my seat and was scared to stand up as I was so faint. There’s just no air in that place and the sun is right on you!

3Luckystars They know from Covid that when shows are cancelled you get new dates or refunds so I'd end up buying new seats to make the lie work and I'm not doing that.

If we're prepared for it with brimmed hats, cover ups and cream, we shouldn't burn.

It's a short enough journey to give it a shot and hope we're on the left, anyway!

Seating plan is here if you want to see if you are on the left (facing the stage). openairtheatre.com/seating-plan

Thank you! We are on the left. Far left so we won't keep shade the whole time but at least we'll have the start.

If you are on the far left, you will indeed have shade for the entire performance and feel very comfortable.