Site visit on Sunday 21 February
Final chance to look behind the Royal Shakespeare Theatre hoardings
The Royal Shakespeare Company is offering local people a final opportunity to take a look at the work going on as part of the Transformation of the Royal Shakespeare and Swan Theatres.
On Sunday 21 February, RSC staff, and actors who have worked with the Company over the years, will be familiarising themselves with the new theatre. There will also be a limited number of tickets made available to the public for a site tour.
Vikki Heywood, RSC Executive Director, commented: “The theatre’s exterior is nearing completion and with under a year to go before we open the building to the public, excitement is building around activity within the theatre’s walls. There is still an enormous amount of work to be done inside, but I’m happy to report that the project is on time and on budget.
“This site visit is a chance for our staff and acting alumni to see the building they will work in, and begin to see the different spaces so we can start to look at how the theatre will operate in the future. There is such a high level of interest in the project that we also wanted to offer local people a chance to see what’s happening behind the hoardings.”
Those who are interested in visiting the RST site are advised to act quickly to secure their places as ticket availability is limited, as Vikki explains:
“We are now at a different stage in the construction process and the level of activity on site is intense. For this reason we can’t host an open day on site as we have done previously, but it will be lovely to welcome some local people on site.”
Planning for the opening of the Royal Shakespeare and Swan Theatres is currently underway. The Royal Shakespeare Theatre is due to open in November this year for a series of preview events and activities, which will allow the RSC to test the building and its facilities, in advance of the first performances in early 2011.
There are 300 tickets available for the public site visits, which take place at 3.00pm and 3.30pm on Sunday 21 February. Tickets are free but visitors will be asked to make a voluntary donation towards the Transforming Our Theatres Appeal. Tickets are limited to 2 per booking and can be reserved by calling the Box Office on 0844 800 1114 from Friday 29 January at 12.00 noon.
The site will be suitable for those with mobility problems, including wheelchair users.