Tread the boards
Now everyone will be able to tread the boards in the new Royal Shakespeare Theatre
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- Floorboards from the stage
As part of the work taking place on the transformation of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, the original teak stage floor from the 1932 building is currently being re-laid in the new foyer spaces that form the entrances to the theatre’s new auditorium. It gives everyone visiting the new theatre the chance to ‘tread the boards’ of the original stage where many of the world’s greatest actors, including the likes of Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench, Laurence Olivier, Antony Sher, Patrick Stewart and David Tennant, have performed.
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- Peter Wilson with the boards
Peter Wilson, RSC Project Director, said: "The whole project team have worked closely with English Heritage to ensure that the key elements of the original 1932 building were preserved, whilst introducing new, bold architectural elements, including the new Theatre Tower. Many of the Art Deco elements of the original building have been retained or sensitively restored, including the riverside and front facades, and the Art Deco interiors of the original foyer and timber paneling of the Circle Bar. Re-using the original stage floorboards is another way of keeping hold of the 'ghosts' of the original theatre, and I am sure people will really enjoy the experience of standing on the same 'stage' that thousands of actors have down the years."
The area where the floorboards are being laid covers approximately 150 sq metres, and is being completed by Swift Horsman, who are providing the project with specialist joinery services.
The Royal Shakespeare and Swan Theatres will open their doors in November of this year with a series of preview events and activities to test the spaces.