The Friends support the RSC in many ways, either volunteering on the Friends Desk before performances or at special events, or fundraising for particular projects.
In return the Friends enjoy a lively programme of events, in the past hearing talks by Judi Dench, Ian Mckellen and Patrick Stewart. Groups currently exist in Stratford-upon-Avon, London and Newcastle.
Forthcoming exclusive RSC Friends' events
In Stratford-upon-Avon
Oliver Ford Davies, Methodist Church Hall, 11 October
At the start of the Friends’ anniversary weekend, we welcome the writer and Olivier Award-winning actor, Oliver Ford Davies to speak to us. Oliver has had an extensive career on stage as well as on film and television (which included a regular role in Kavanagh QC), so I’m sure we will have a very interesting morning. He spent 10 years with the RSC from 1965-1975 appearing in 27 productions! This season he returns to play Polonius in Hamlet and Holofernes in Love's Labour's Lost.
Booking closes 9 October at 10:30am.
Love's Labour's Lost Understudy Performance, The Courtyard Theatre, 19 October
As you are probably aware, the Friends have helped to fund a public understudy performance of Love's Labour's Lost on Tuesday 21 October at 1pm. We have a limited number of tickets available for this and have arranged for Assistant Director Cressida Brown to speak to us about it after the performance. The price for theatre seat, talk and a cup of tea/coffee is £5. Don’t worry if you have already booked a seat, you can join us for the talk and drink for £3 post show at The Courtyard Theatre.
Booking closes 19 October.
RSC Property Tours, Meet at Courtyard Café, 22 November
Anyone who has enjoyed watching 'Through the Keyhole' on television will be fascinated by a rather unusual event in November. Thanks to Suzanne Harris, RSC Properties Manager, we are able to offer a look round the recently renovated cottages on Waterside which are the homes of RSC actors during their stay in Stratford. As you may imagine, we will have to do this tour in small groups and overall numbers will be very limited, so we recommend that you book early for this. We will meet at The Courtyard Theatre Café where coffee and tea will be available for those waiting to be taken to the cottages – it will be a nice opportunity to be able to chat informally over a cuppa. Meet at Courtyard Café at 10.30am.
Booking closes 20 November at 10:30am.
In London
Wilton's Music Hall - talk and tour, Wilton’s Music Hall, 29 November, 11am
For our first event of the London Winter season, we have organised a tour of this historic building followed by a Q&A with the Director, Elisabeth Freestone. Members of the acting company will also be invited to attend. Both the tour and talk will take place before the matinee so why not make a day of it and book to see the show as well.
Booking closes 27 November at 11am. Tickets cost £8 friends, £9 Guests, under 18's £5.50.
Download a map to Wilton’s Music Hall
In Newcastle
Newcastle Friends events are open to RSC Members, tickets cost £6 per person for each event. To book please call the Friends Event Ticket Hotline on 0844 800 1120. Please note the Newcastle Friends events are only open to RSC Friends and current RSC Members.
Michael Boyd, Theatre Royal Newcastle, 10 October, 4pm
For our first event surrounding the Newcastle season, RSC Artistic Director Michael Boyd will be joining us to talk about the shows transferring from the Stratford summer season, his ensemble vision and future plans for the RSC.
Booking closes 8 October at 4pm.
Michelle Gomez, Theatre Royal Newcastle, 17 October, 4pm
Unfortunately this event has now been cancelled.
Stephen Boxer, Theatre Royal Newcastle, 25 October, 10.30am
Stephen Boxer has returned to the RSC this year to play the flamboyant Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew, having last acted with the RSC in 1999 in Bartholomew Fair. He joins us to talk about the show, his character and the ups and downs of being in such an energetic show.
Having injured himself in the preview week we are sure there will be a few interesting stories to be told.
Booking closes 23 October at 10.30am.
Booking tickets
You need to be a current RSC Friend to book for these events.
Tickets for Friends' events are £5 for Friends, £6 for guests and £2.50 for guests aged 18 years or under* (unless otherwise stated). *Please note we recommend RSC Friends' events are unsuitable for children under the age of 12 years.
Please note guest tickets may only be purchased by current RSC Friends on behalf of their guest.
Any profits from Friends' events go towards supporting the Company's programme of activities or towards the cost of equipment required by various departments at the RSC.
The quarterly Friends' Newsletter has full details of forthcoming events, special offers, reviews of past events, details of how to get involved and the latest news from the RSC.
Annual Associate Membership plus RSC Friends costs £35 and Annual Full Membership plus RSC Friends costs £56
Becoming an RSC Friend
You can become a Friend online by visiting our secure online shopping section where you can buy memberships and pay by credit or debit card.
Alternatively if you would like to print out an application form or to pay by Direct Debit download a Membership Application Form or a Gift Membership Application Form to buy membership for a friend. Simply complete the form and send it along with your payment to our FREEPOST address:
Membership Office
Royal Shakespeare Company
FREEPOST CV1869
Stratford-upon-Avon
CV37 6BR
UK
To join by telephone please contact the Membership Office on 01789 403440 or email membership@rsc.org.uk to request an application form.
If you are a current RSC Member and would like to become an RSC Friend, please contact the Membership Office for a calculation of your pro rata payment.
RSC Friends Newsletters
Read previous RSC Friends newsletters; May, June, November.
RSC Friends' events gallery
Take a look at pictures from previous Friends' events.
