Free tours at the award-winning Courtyard Theatre at the RSC in Stratford
26 June 2007
The Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford is offering free tours of The Courtyard Theatre, which celebrates its first birthday on Friday 6 July 2007.
The Courtyard Theatre is now the RSC’s main performance space in Stratford, whilst the Royal Shakespeare Theatre undergoes a major transformation to create the best modern playhouse for Shakespeare.
Performances began in The Courtyard Theatre in July 2006 with RSC Artistic Director, Michael Boyd’s critically acclaimed History play project. Most recently the theatre has been home to King Lear and The Seagull, which featured Ian McKellen.
As well as being able to stand on the stage, a tour of The Courtyard Theatre offers members of the public the opportunity to take a peek inside the auditorium, and see the backstage world normally off limits to an audience. Quick change areas, the actors’ green room and wardrobe areas are all on the itinerary.
With The Courtyard Theatre’s auditorium being a prototype for the performance area in the new Royal Shakespeare Theatre, the tour offers a glimpse of the Company’s future. The tour guides will also provide insights into the history of the RSC, current and forthcoming productions, and the day to day running of one of the biggest theatre companies in the world.
After the tour there will be the chance to purchase refreshments at a 20% discount in the Café bar at The Courtyard Theatre.
Sara Aspley, RSC Head of Enterprise, said: “We are delighted to be offering members of the public free tours of the RSC’s new temporary playhouse. Although only a year old, The Courtyard Theatre has proved incredibly popular with audiences, and we want to give as many people as possible the chance to explore the building further. Each tour promises to be a fascinating experience.”
As The Courtyard Theatre is a fully working theatre, each tour is a unique experience. Rehearsals are frequent and a visit to all areas cannot be guaranteed with every tour.
Theatre tours are free and last approximately 45 minutes. There are several tours in the week and two on Sundays, but times do vary according to performance and rehearsal schedules. For more information and to book a place, members of the public should contact the RSC’s Box Office on 0844 800 1114 or pop into the theatre itself. There is a maximum of 20 people per tour.
Further information
For more press information and photos of The Courtyard Theatre please contact:
Dean Asker
RSC Press Office
01789 412660
0778 9937759
dean.asker@rsc.org.uk
