Free outdoor theatre, a joyous production of As You Like It and the opening of The Empress at the Swan are all on offer at our theatres in Stratford this month.
As You Like It
Join us this summer to celebrate age, imagination and the power of theatre with our new production of Shakespeare's most joyous tale, As You Like It.
After being banished from court, Rosalind and her loyal cousin Celia take refuge in the Forest of Arden, joined by the jester Touchstone. Meanwhile her suitor Orlando roams the woods dreaming of his beloved. But when they meet, Rosalind's disguise as the boy shepherd Ganymede gives rise to confusion, trickery and mirth.
Omar Elerian’s bold reimagining of Shakespeare's comedy sees the cast of a former production of As You Like It return to the rehearsal room after 40 years, where memories are reawakened, old friends reconnect, and a journey full of surprises awaits.
Book here for As You Like It and be transported to a world where time stops and the clock unwinds to take us on an adventure where playfulness reigns.
The Empress
Also this month, Tanika Gupta's The Empress opens at the Swan Theatre from 7 July.
1887, the year of Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. Sixteen year old Rani Das is travelling to England on a boat from India, looking after the children of an English family on the voyage. But when they step off the boat at Tilbury Docks, Rani is cruelly dismissed by her employers.
An epic play spanning 13 years of the "Golden Era" of Empire, The Empress is directed by Pooja Ghai.
Book tickets for The Empress here and find out more about the production and how it was created, with our series of events, including a Creative Team Talk and Post Show Stay Late.
Come and enjoy free theatre on weekends throughout July and August, at our outdoor theatre The Dell in Stratford-upon-Avon, as it plays host to a range of lively student, community and semi-professional productions.
Macbeth, The Merchant of Venice, The Two Gentlemen of Verona and A Midsummer Night's Dream are just some of the productions on offer this summer.
Bring a chair, picnic blanket and your own food and be prepared to be delighted and entertained.
Whether you venture outside or stay within the walls of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre we've got plenty of events this summer.
Wander through Stratford-upon-Avon and discover our At The Forest's Edge willow sculptures. Visit our free The Play’s The Thing exhibition, and delve into our collection of costumes and props. Discover the hidden history of our theatres on a Guided Tour.
And when that's all done, relax and refresh at the Riverside Cafe or the Rooftop Restaurant.
Looking ahead, public booking for our new season of delights is now on sale. Dates have been confirmed for the first previews for our newly-announced plays, including a magical new production in our festive season offerings, and the return of an Elizabethan classic:
- The Box of Delights - 31 October - 2 November
- The Fair Maid of the West - 2 - 5 December
- A Midsummer Night's Dream - 30 January - 1 February
- Ben and Imo - 21 - 23 February