Regent s Park Open Air theatre, which stages a number of classic productions during the summer months, says it is gravely concerned by plans to screen World Cup football games in the park. William Village, Executive Director & Joint Chief Executive of the Theat

Regent's Park Open Air theatre, which stages a number of productions during the summer months, says it is 'gravely concerned' by plans to screen World Cup football games in the park.

William Village, Executive Director & Joint Chief Executive of the Theatre, said in a statement: "We at the Open Air Theatre are gravely concerned about potential disruption to our summer season from the noise created by 20,000 people expected daily to attend the month-long World Cup event.

"We are of course supportive of initiatives that increase use of the Parks, and the World Cup is an outstanding opportunity to do so, but we do not understand the rationale behind holding this event in the only Royal Park which has a 1240-seat permanent open air theatre and a large residential community.

"130,000 people visit our theatre annually and it is our duty to make sure that their experience is not disrupted. For that reason we join the Friends of Regent's Park in petitioning the GLA and the Royal Parks to re-consider the proposed location of this event, especially as London offers other far more suitable public spaces.