What's on in May

May’s the thing, and this month we’re celebrating the arrival of spring with a trio of shows, plus a host of half term activities to entertain kids of all ages.

We're off to a roaring start with the first three shows from our new season: Hanif Kureishi and Emma Rice’s The Buddha of Suburbia is in full swing at the Swan, the season starter Love's Labour’s Lost is heading into its final performances at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, and English embarks on its European premiere at The Other Place – plus there’s plenty of May excitement to enjoy offstage...

Dee Ahluwalia as Karim, wearing a pair of bright blue briefs and doing a head stand with knees bent and feet touching in a yoga-style pose. The background is warm with yellows and golds in a 70s style pattern

THE BUDDHA OF SUBURBIA

Based on Hanif Kureishi’s beloved, best-selling novel, immerse yourself in this irresistible, heart-breaking and joyful exploration of family, friends, sex, theatre and, ultimately, belonging, directed and co-adapted by Wise Children’s Emma Rice.

To find out more about the adaptation process, come along to Discover Day: The Buddha of Suburbia on 25 May for a 90-minute talk with Director Emma Rice.

The Buddha of Suburbia is playing until 1 June at the Swan Theatre.

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A woman with dark curly hair smiling and with her eyes looking out to the right side, with a pink-purple ombre background

OPENING: ENGLISH

Grappling with learning English as a foreign language, four adult classmates realise that there is more to their lives than can ever be uttered through language.

Join the European premiere of Sanaz Toossi’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, directed by Diyan Zora.

Take a peek behind the scenes and join the pre-show talk with the Creative Team on 14 May.

English is playing 9 May to 29 June at The Other Place. 

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Love_s Labour_s Lost production photos_ 2024_2024_Photo by Johan Persson_371458

TWO WEEKS left: LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST

In May we will say a heartfelt goodbye to the first show of our brand-new season - but you can still catch it before it’s gone. Read the reviews for this 'bold' (Whatsonstage), 'sumptuous' (MidlandsWhatsOn) and 'pitch perfect' (Guardian) comedy. 

To find out more about how we bring a play from page to stage, join the Assistant Director and members of the cast for Unwrapped: Love’s Labours Lost on 4 May.

Love’s Labour’s Lost is playing until 18 May at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

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MAY HALF TERM ACTIVITIES

Join us during May Half Term 2024 for a range of theatrical performances, workshops and activities to liven up your little ones’ holiday.

Fancy working on your acting or circus skills? Sign up for one of our workshops for ages eight and above, where kids can learn prop-making or even how to create realistic gory makeup.

Then, there are two special performances for little ones and adults alike. Don’t miss the mayhem of Tweedy’s Massive Circus (24 May - 2 June), or revel in the misery of Tim Crouch’s cantankerous I, Malvolio (30 and 31 May).

Finally, we're running free drop-in upcycling sessions at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre throughout the week, ending with a special Showcase Event.

Join the May half term fun

Tweedy's Massive Circus

THE PLAY’S THE THING

Re-opening just in time for Shakespeare’s Birthday Celebrations in April, our free exhibition The Play’s The Thing, with more than 100 years of theatre-making magic is once more open to visitors.

Co-curated by local community organisations including Coventry’s Positive Youth Foundation, Fred Winter Centre, ILEAP and Warwickshire Pride, the exhibition has been updated for 2024 and now includes the costume of the Player Queen from Hamlet (2008) worn by Ryan Gage and Beyond the Borders, a spoken word film by artist, musician, rapper and Coventry’s Poet laureate John Bernard.

The Play’s The Thing is free and open to visit every day from 12 midday until 7.15pm (4pm on Sundays).

Visit the exhibition

 

Orange and purple tulips - 'Ballerina' and 'Black Hero'

Enjoy a Spring day out

Take a 60-minute journey around our buildings. Our guided tours run daily, led by our experienced tour guides, and every tour will be truly unique.

Enjoy the spring sunshine as you watch the swans go by from our Riverside Cafe (or watch the from inside if it's still raining), sip a cocktail or enjoy a delicious afternoon tea from our Rooftop Restaurant. Wander through the Dell Gardens to Susie's Cafe Bar at The Other Place, now open Wednesday to Saturday 11am to 5pm for hot and cold drinks, snacks and cakes. 

MORTON HALL TULIP FESTIVAL 2024

Get in quick to celebrate the arrival of spring at the annual Morton Hall Tulip Festival and support costume-making at the RSC! Admire more than 100 tulip varieties in borders, pots and three marquees, revealing the magic and splendour of the queen of the spring flowers, as well as original costume displays.

The Tulip Festival runs from 4 to 6 May 2024, 10am-5pm (last entry at 3.30pm). All ticket sales go to support costume-making at the RSC.

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A DAY OF DISCOVERY

Love watching Shakespeare performed on stage, but want to dive a bit deeper? At our next Discover Day, you can join our actors to explore approaches to well-known Shakespearean scenes, characters and monologues to find out more about the plays.

You’ll get the opportunity to get into the action yourself (if you like) or sit back and take part in talks and discussions.

Our next in the series, Discover Day: An Actor’s Process, is on 18 May 2024

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