Brownsea Open Air Theatre 2018]] [[Image:BOAT-_Two_Gentlemen_Of_Verona.jpg|thumb|"Two Gentlemen Of Verona", 2016]] In 2019 BOAT are staging "[[Richard III (play)| "Richard III"]]". Future plans include "[[Romeo and Juliet (play)| "Romeo and Juliet"]]" in 2020, followed by "[[Twelfth Night (play)| "Twelfth Night"]]" and "[[Macbeth (play)| "Macbeth"]]". Former members of Brownsea Open Air Theatre who went on to appear in film, stage and/or television include the following: [[Category:Outdoor theatres]] [[Category:Theatres in Dorset]] [[Category:Poole]] Brownsea Open Air Theatre Brownsea Open Air Theatre (commonly abbreviated B.O.A.T) is an open-air Shakespearian theatre company based in Poole, Dorset that have performed large theatrical productions since 1964. Annually performing a play from the
Brownsea Castle fallen into disuse. In 1726 the castle was converted into a private residence by William Benson, despite complaints from the town of Poole. Benson and the subsequent owners extended the original blockhouse to form a country house, landscaping the surrounding island to create ornamental gardens and lakes. The 19th century saw continued building work by the castle's occupants, including the entrepreneur Colonel William Waugh, who erected various Jacobethan-styled extensions. A serious fire in 1896 gutted the castle, which was restored by Major Kenneth Robert Balfour. The wealthy stockbroker Charles Van Raalte led a lavish lifestyle at Brownsea at the start