Hugh Bonneville

Hugh Bonneville was a member of the National Youth Theatre, studied Theology at Cambridge and made his professional debut at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in 1986, “bashing a cymbal” in A Midsummer Night's Dream and understudying Ralph Fiennes as Lysander. He then spent several seasons with the National Theatre and joined the RSC in 1991. His career has gone on to include film and television, and is probably best known internationally for playing Robert, Earl of Grantham in Downton Abbey.

Plays and roles

A Midsummer Night's Dream (1986)

Alternate and Understudy Lysander

Hugh Bonneville in A Midsummer Night's Dream

Arms and the Man (1986)

Officer

Romeo and Juliet (1986)

Abram

About Our Heritage

The award-winning Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is a London landmark – a firm fixture of summer in the city, providing a cultural hub in the beautiful surroundings of a Royal Park.

This digital archive gives access to the theatre’s rich history for the first time. With over 80 years and 300 productions to cover, this archive will be added to as resources become available.

With thanks to The JCL Trust, the founding sponsor of the Open Air Theatre Heritage Project.

Past focuses