Inspiring Women : November 2020

Theatre in the Park
Alison Rolle
Outdoor theatre is inclusive, it draws people in. There’s something open and inviting about setting
up in a public space, in full view of passers-by, with just a tarpaulin backdrop for entrances and
exits, a representative stage set and a tent for costume changes. It says “Stop and look, join in,
everyone welcome”. They decide to sit down, and very quickly they are drawn in to the story.
I studied Drama at university and taught in schools in the UK until my husband’s job moved us to
Munich in March 2014. I’m happiest when meeting people and going to the theatre, so I was
delighted to find Entity, an English-speaking amateur theatre company, which was seeking
volunteers to work on their first ever outdoor summer show. The director and inspiration for the
project was Conny Loder, that rare and wonderful thing - a Bavarian Shakespeare scholar. I was
struck by her enthusiasm and commitment to what would be her directorial debut, and signed up
to get involved immediately.
In August 2014 we staged ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’
in the Amphitheater, a magical setting in the heart of
the Englischer Garten, with an international Englishspeaking
cast from all walks of life. Rehearsals were
held outdoors in all weathers, which led to much
resourcefulness in finding central locations with any
kind of cover from the rain. It was an adventure for all of
us, where friendships were made and challenges met.
Some of the actors were experienced, some beginners; I
believe that anyone who’s willing to try, and committed
to succeeding, can be directed to play their part well,
and I relished my role as acting and movement coach
that first year. I went on to work with Conny for the next
three summer seasons as assistant director, moving to
the Teatron in Munich’s Westpark, now Entity’s summer
home.
Staging a play outdoors in a public space requires a very
different approach to directing and acting. Indoor
theatre, with its technology, intimacy and controlled
environment can’t prepare you for the unpredictable
weather, wildlife, natural lighting and challenging
acoustics of the great outdoors! So you have to adapt,
expand, be louder and clearer in voice and movement,
draw the audience in and keep them with you through
68
Waiting to go on stage! ©Thomas Hafner