When I first came to university in London in 1980, a naive girl from the West Midlands, it was a complete culture shock. Bedford College in Regent’s Park was Sloane Ranger Central. But when the Pimm’sdrinking crowd got too much, I had one sure-fire escape route: Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.

Back then the venue had a wonderful shabby glamour. I’d sit on the grass with my sandwiches and watch the actors in rehearsal. At night, I’d take my place in the fan-shaped auditorium and talent-spot new stars.

Many famous people have passed through here: from Vivien Leigh to Judi Dench and Jeremy Irons. A young Ralph Fiennes played Romeo. Trudie Styler and Matthew Freud worked the bar. Janie Dee even met her husband here. More recently Benedict Cumberbatch, Summer Strallen and Sheridan Smith all made their names here.

The theatre celebrated its 75th anniversary last year — it remains the only permanent professional outdoor theatre in Britain — and its mission is to present two Shakespeare plays each season. But there are also opera, musicals, comedy and family shows. Many Londoners will tell you they saw their first theatre production here. And it’s anything but elitist, as secretaries mingle with thespians and local school children, drawn by the fairy lights in the trees and people setting up hampers on the lawn.

The 2008 season officially opens with Romeo and Juliet (until 2 August) and Twelfth Night (until 30 July — both previewing this week). There’s a specially re-imagined Midsummer Night’s Dream for six-year-olds and over (8 July-2 August). Then Topol and Millicent Martin star in Gigi (6 August-13 September). Plus Sunday concerts with Jimmy Carr, Lucy Porter, Seth Lakeman and Jose Gonzalez.

The venue’s famous shabbiness has gone, thanks to Lottery funding — there are disabled access, proper toilets and even (dear God) a Pimm’s bar. But I will always be grateful for its egalitarian, alfresco embrace.