Review: From War-Torn Skies to Highland Dreams. The Magic of Brigadoon Lives Again!

A heartwarming, breathtaking revival that captures the magic, music, and soul of Scotland.

★★★★★

It’s been over 35 years since Brigadoon last graced London’s stages, and if this Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre revival proves anything, it’s that absence makes the heart grow fonder—then completely sweep it away. Rona Munro’s adaptation feels less like a mere revival and more like a reawakening, breathing fresh life into Lerner and Loewe’s beloved classic while wrapping it lovingly in the rich textures, traditions, and heart of Scotland itself.

Munro’s decision to frame the two central hunters as WWII American airmen—lost in the wilderness after a crash, only to stumble into the mystical world of Brigadoon—is a stroke of brilliance. It not only grounds the story in a period still within living memory but also makes the audience’s connection to the wonder and strangeness of Brigadoon far more immediate. The addition of Gaelic phrases, seamlessly woven into the dialogue, lends authenticity without alienating modern audiences—it’s immersive, not intimidating.

Where Munro redefines the storytelling, Drew McOnie brings it spectacularly to life. As a director, his choice to set this in the leafy embrace of Regent’s Park feels like fate—the surrounding nature becomes an unspoken character in the story, softening the line between our world and Brigadoon’s enchanted glen. As a choreographer, McOnie delivers movement that’s not just beautiful, but deeply expressive—every leap, turn, and gesture tells its own tale, often revealing more than words could. The opening sequences brim with energy and folkloric rhythm, while the quieter dances carry an intimacy that makes the air feel heavy with longing.

The visual world, designed by Basia Bińkowska, is a dream: a set that nods lovingly to the 18th century while embracing sleek, contemporary elements. The use of earthy tones and organic textures makes the audience feel rooted in the Scottish highlands, yet it’s framed with just enough minimalism to let the choreography and performances take centre stage. It’s like walking through a living oil painting—one you never want to leave.

The cast? Perfection from top to bottom. The ensemble deserves every possible ovation for executing McOnie’s demanding choreography with absolute precision and palpable joy, their movements breathing life into every scene change and celebration. Gilli Jones’s Charlie is a vocal thunderstorm—raw power and pure emotion rolled into one, her presence commanding yet deeply human. Louis Grant’s Tommy oozes charm and charisma, a magnetic presence that holds your gaze while still delivering vulnerability when the story demands it. And Georgina Onuorah, fresh from dazzling in Shucked, is radiant as Fiona—her voice is rich and emotive, and her acting imbues the role with a sincerity that makes your heart ache in the best way. Together, she and Grant share a chemistry that makes the central love story soar.

Special mention must go to the way the production balances romance and mystery. The enchanted premise could easily feel whimsical to the point of detachment, but here it’s grounded in stakes and humanity. You believe in Brigadoon because you believe in its people—their love, their grief, and their joy. That emotional truth is what makes the magic land so powerfully.

This production has that rare combination of artistic vision, technical brilliance, and sheer emotional pull. It’s the kind of theatre that makes you believe in impossible places, timeless love, and the magic of stepping into the unknown.

For me, this was an unexpected triumph. I came in knowing almost nothing about Brigadoon, except for my mother’s fond memories of performing it in her school days. I left completely enchanted—and determined to carry a piece of Brigadoon with me always. Yes, EVITA may still be the headline event of the summer, but this Brigadoon? It’s the secret treasure hiding in the glen.

Brigadoon - Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

Attended on 8 August 2025