EM Acoustics’ HALO-B line array-based system has been in use across the 2025 Summer season at London’s Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Following the successful debut of a full system in 2024, Autograph Sound has committed to the design long-term, purchasing a complete EM Acoustics package that will become an ongoing mainstay of the Open Air Theatre’s programme.
Autograph has a long-standing relationship with Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, having supplied a full audio system for a number of years. The desire to create a consistent, high-quality sound experience at the Open Air Theatre led to the implementation of a more permanent, bespoke solution. Designed by Olivier Award-winner Nick Lidster, the system, which is based around the HALO-B line arrays, along with a complete EM Acoustics front-to-back setup, has proved exceptionally well-suited to overcoming the unique acoustic challenges of this very large outdoor, uncovered venue.
“We’ve always used elements of EM Acoustics at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre,” explains Will McGonagle, Hire Manager at Autograph. “But a couple of years ago, we brought in the HALO-B system for a full summer season, and it worked brilliantly. We knew then it was the right fit long-term, and now it’s become a fixture.”
The passive nature of the EM Acoustics portfolio was another consideration in the decision-making. “We’ve had several different systems from different manufacturers at the venue over the years,” explains Nick Lidster, who has sound-designed both Brigadoon and Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Dream Ballets: A Triple Bill during the 2025 season. “Because it’s all outdoors, we want any amplification and control systems located separately, somewhere dry, so a passive system was a clear choice. From May to September, we rely on just one versatile system for all kinds of productions.”
The EM Acoustics system comprises HALO-B line arrays as the main PA supported by a wide range of point-source loudspeakers, including EMS-41, EMS-51, EMS-61, EMS-81 and EMS-129 models, along with S-15 and S-18 subwoofers. Crucially for the open-air venue, all loudspeakers are weatherised to withstand the elements throughout the entire season.
“Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre produces a wide range of productions, from spoken word plays to large-scale musicals and even live music concerts,” continues McGonagle. “We needed a system that could handle that variety with confidence, and one that incoming sound designers would feel familiar with and have confidence in. EM Acoustics ticked all the boxes.”
“HALO-B sounds warm, clear and very natural,” comments Lidster. “My sound designs are truthful; truthful replications of the instruments that are being played and the people speaking or singing on stage. HALO-B facilitates that and sounds very good for musicals and musical theatre.”
With the new system now an ongoing feature of the venue’s technical infrastructure, audiences at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre will continue to enjoy world-class audio quality from a system that has proven its capability at the very highest level.
“This season has been a real test of system versatility, with two contrasting musicals, a straight play, a dance project accompanied by a 26-piece orchestra, and a full concert series,” confirms Anthony Newton, Director of Technical & Production at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. “The EM Acoustics rig, as spec’d by Nick Lidster and the Autograph team, has delivered consistently, from clarity and coverage to headroom and musicality. Add to that its resilience after 22 weeks outdoors, and it’s fair to say we’re genuinely impressed.”
