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 Island instigator of Pride's Purge– the only military coup d'état in English history – was stationed on the island in 1654. Sir Robert Clayton, a Lord Mayor of the City of London and wealthy merchant became owner in the mid-1650s and after his death in 1707 the island was sold to William Benson, a Whig Member of Parliament and architect. He converted the castle into a residence and was responsible for introducing many varieties of trees to the island. In 1765 Sir Humphrey Sturt, a local landowner and MP purchased the island, which in turn passed to his sons. Sturt expanded