HUNDREDS of people came out to see a park transform into an outdoor theatre this weekend.

After a string of successful performances in the last five years, live theatre company Illyria returned to Wanstead Park on Sunday (July 24).

Several hundred theatre enthusiasts gathered outside The Temple to see Gilbert and Sullivan’s haunted house spoof Ruddigore in over 25 degree sunshine.

After the event, which was preceded by Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream on July 14, members of the audience took to social media to praise Illyria’s performance.

Theatre goer Chris Mitchell said: "We had a fantastic afternoon at The Temple seeing Illyria version of the comic opera Ruddigore.

"Illyria's interpretation with six cast members and a musical director was fast, funny and brilliant!"

Established in 1991, Illyria is the largest outdoor theatre company in the UK, and has put on shows across Europe, the United States and Canada.