The Comedy of Errors at Regents Park

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Each year the theatre season in Regent's Park, held over the balmy evenings of summer, seems to improve on the year before. In 2008 they announced they had the longest bar in London, in 2009 the hospitality offerings far surpassed all previous years with the introduction of picnic bookings, and this year they're upping the snack stakes again by having a Hog Roast as well as a barbecue. Why is food and drink mentioned first when this is a theatrical performance? Because it's an outdoor event! and part of the Regents Park Open Air Theatre experience is the picnic-ing, the relaxed atmosphere and the pleasure of being entertained outside.

The permanent amphitheatre is deep in the heart of the park, totally surrounded by trees, so there's very little noise to distract you from the performance – apart from birds bedding down for the night and the wind in the trees. That, and the lighting, which allows the actors to see the audience, at least at the beginning of the evening, means that it's an intimate space and being in the 1,200 strong audience you feel quite involved.

The technical set up isn't as tin-shed as you might expect either. As well as standard backstage spaces there's also a workshop and a paintshop, and offices for the crew and management team. Why would you want to know about that? Well, that the cast and crew aren't working out of tents means that the quality of the production is much higher. In some cases comparable to what you'd see in the west end or better, because the productions only get a six week run so stay fresh.

But what about the show! Most years the season includes a play and a musical but recently they've added something for younger audiences and something with all round appeal. In 2010, heavy text 'The Crucible' is the big play, and the something for everyone is The Comedy of Errors, directed by Philip Franks.

Shakespeare has always been popular with the outdoor theatre crowd, both from performers and audiences perspectives, but this production isn't done in the style of the age when it was written. Instead, this farce of mistaken identities and slapstick humour, takes place in 1940s Casablanca, where the sultry music and weather are occasionally pricked by an element of danger. And the play's two sets of estranged twins, who share their name, weave, unbeknownst to each other, around the same town, causing some hilarious mix ups and a general mess of confusion in which most of the men are jealous and most of the women furious.

As well as funny bits the play has some cod-violence and some sad tales, but it ends with a feel good family love-fest scene, proving Shakespeare's later title: All's well that ends well. The cast includes names that will be familiar to people who visit the National Theatre and the RSC, and the weather forecast is pretty promising, considering, so book your tickets in advance and don't forget to book your picnic, barbecue or Hog Roast at the same time to take advantage of a discount. As well as your picnic you'll need to bring something warm to drape around your shoulders - and maybe make that something waterproof... The actors will generally keep at it unless there's a deluge. But that only makes it more exciting.

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