60 years of memories

Last year we celebrated 60 years since the granting of our royal charter, and as we continue to celebrate this milestone, we want to hear from you. You, along with the millions of others who have enjoyed performances in Stratford-upon-Avon, London, across the country and around the world, are at the heart of our Royal Shakespeare Community. 

Our audiences are part of our history, and we want to hear your voice and your experiences. From your first time visit to your favourite Shakespeare or family production, how the RSC has inspired you, or even bumping into your favourite actor, we would love to hear your most cherished memory of the RSC.

Below you can read the memories that have already been submitted. You can submit your own memory online or if you have any questions please email memories@rsc.org.uk.

Richard II_ 1987_ Jeremy Irons as Richard II_1987_Photo by Reg Wilson _c_ RSC_301868
Jeremy Irons in Richard II, the Barbican Theatre, 1987. Directed by Barry Kyle.
Photo by Reg Wilson © RSC Browse and license our images
The Tempest_ 2016_ Ariel and Prospero_2016_Photo by Topher McGrillis _c_ RSC_207549
Simon Russell Beale and Mark Quartley in The Tempest, 2016.
Photo by Topher McGrillis © RSC Browse and license our images
Romeo and Juliet_ 1961_ Juliet cradles the dead Romeo_1961_Photo by Angus McBean _c_ RSC_40708
Dorothy Tutin and Brian Murray in Romeo and Juliet, 1961. Directed by Peter Hall.
Photo by Angus McBean © RSC Browse and license our images
Henry VI_ Part 1 _2006_Ellie Kurttz_93018
Chuk Iwuji in Henry VI, Part 1, Courtyard Theatre, 2006. Directed by Michael Boyd.
Photo by Ellie Kurttz © RSC Browse and license our images

Shakespeare memories

As you reflect on your memories, we ask you to consider making a donation to help Keep Your RSC and guarantee transformative experiences of theatre for future generations. You will be creating memories that last a lifetime.

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You can use the search bar to find your own memory, or search for specific actors or plays.  

I can still remember being there, and see the gauze as the lighting on and behind it changed. And above all I remember it was quite simply magic - Alison Sandford, subscriber

In 1959, when I was 7 years old, my parents took me to the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in Stratford to see a matinee of A Midsummer Night's Dream with Charles Laughton as Bottom, Ian Holm as Puck, and it should have been Mary Ure as Titania but I remember a slip in the programme saying she was off ill and so her understudy would be going on - sadly I have no idea who the understudy was.

Today this day I remember Mendelssohn's music.  I remember the use of a gauze to reveal the world of the fairies.  I can still remember being there, and see the gauze as the lighting on and behind it changed.  And above all I remember it was quite simply magic. 

At the end it seems I stood up and clapped and clapped and clapped and asked if they would come back and do it all again if I clapped for long enough! 

Recently I found some reviews in old newspapers on the British Newspaper Archive website and was disappointed to discover that the critics hadn't been full of praise - far from it.  (And also that the director was Peter Hall himself.) To this 7 year old it was simply the most amazing thing I'd ever seen and it instilled in me a passion for the theatre which has never dimmed!  Thank you.

Shakespeare memories

As we celebrate 60 years of incredible theatre we would love to hear your most cherished memories of the RSC, from your first visit to your favourite production, how the RSC inspired your or even bumping into your favourite actor. You are at the heart of our Royal Shakespeare Community and we ask that, as you reminisce, you consider making a donation to Keep Your RSC making amazing memories for another 60 years.

Make a donation Share a memory
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