N O one is more stoic than the British theatregoer. They will sit through everything from a light drizzle to a torrential downpour consuming their picnics before and during the interval of a show regardless of the weather.

Locally groups like Taunton Thespians, The Bradfordians, Bath Drama, and Thornbury Amateur Drama Society are regulars when it comes to presenting classic plays of all descriptions in the open air. This season has seen a move away from Shakespeare with plays by Carlo Goldoni, Arthur Miller, Henry Fielding, and Geoffrey Chaucer, on view.

Three of those A Servant of Two Masters, Tom Jones, and Canterbury Tales, have comedy at their heart, and in all cases they seem to have struck a chord with audiences during this period of financial depression. That being said The Bradfordians, who in a way partially cheated when presenting The Cruicble in the lovely Tithe Barn at Bradford on Avon, found audiences very receptive to their fine production of Arthur Miller's powerful drama The Crucible.

This move towards producing classic stories rather than Shakespeare during the summer months has been reflected in the fewer entries for The Rose Bowl Award for best Shakespearian Production. One of those company's, Bath Drama are however already in rehearsal to rectify that shortage by presenting Shakespeare's Anthony and Cleopatera, which will be directed by Adrian Philpott from October 12 to 15.

Taunton Thespians' choices for autumn and next spring could not be much further away from Shakespeare – Leslie Darbon's adaptation of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple story A Murder has been Announced and Richard Harris's excellent comedy set at a local cricket club Outside Edge. David Goodall makes a welcome return to the post of director for the Agatha Christie story, and Jane Edwards, who made such a success of directing John Mortimer's Edwin at the County Drama Festival, makes her debut as a full director with Outside Edge.

Having just finished delving into the black side of people's minds with The Crucible The Bradfordians will be taking a rather more lightheaded look in that area this autumn when they present Peter Shaffer's hilarious comedy Black Comedy.

All these, and quite a few more companies, have cottoned on to the fact that you are almost guaranteed, in the right venue, to attract a large audience to an al fresco production, almost regardless of the weather.

If these facts have tempted you to think about taking to the open air in 2012, just bear in mind one rival which will have a big effect on audiences for virtually everything during the summer of 2012 – The Olympics. With blanket TV coverage at peak times, this event is sure to anchor a great many people in front of their television screens for long periods.