Leading the season is a world premiere production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a fresh retelling of Shakespeare’s classic comedy for everyone aged seven and over. The production marks the first major collaboration between the Unicorn Theatre, the UK’s leading theatre for young audiences, and the RSC, representing a landmark partnership in children’s theatre between two industry leaders. 

Developed in consultation with the Unicorn’s Creative Associates, a group of 8 to 13-year-olds, the production places children at the heart of the creative process, with young people helping to shape the show through their own perspectives and ideas. 

The production features creative captioning integrated into every performance, alongside integrated BSL performances, ensuring access is embedded within the storytelling and design of the production from the outset. 

A Midsummer Night’s Dream opens The Other Place from 19 June to 30 August 2026. Download production images here.  

Alongside the production, audiences can explore a new outdoor installation opening in late June in the Swan and Avon Bank Gardens, inspired by the magical world of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.  

The installation trail invites families into a playful journey inspired by the world of the play, featuring colourful woven structures, tyre play sculptures and points of surprise and discovery throughout the gardens. Inspired by themes of curiosity, transformation and imagination, the trail has been designed to encourage exploration, play and creativity. 

Also featured this summer is a new project from Midlands-based theatre company Stan's Cafe. The production forms part of Stan’s Cafe’s ongoing River Tours series, which has previously explored rivers including the Thames, the Severn and the Volga. 

Working closely with communities across Warwickshire and Worcestershire, the company is collecting stories and memories of life along the River Avon which will inform a one-person outdoor performance presented in The Dell from 14 to 16 August. The project is supported by the RSC and Live & Local. 

As part of the development process, participants from the RSC Warm Hub have taken part in creative writing workshops, while students from Stratford College have contributed to the creation of a large textile map used within the performance environment. The project also explores themes of magic and transformation, connecting with the world of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. 

The RSC’s renowned Summer School also returns for its 79th year from 24 to 27 August 2026. Bringing together leading academics, actors, directors and RSC staff, the four-day programme explores Shakespeare, theatre-making and productions from the 2026/27 season. 

This year’s sessions include discussions on the legacy of the RSC’s first female director Buzz Goodbody and the 50th anniversary of David Edgar’s Destiny, which premiered at The Other Place. More information can be found on the RSC's website. 

The summer programme also includes a refreshed display in The Play’s The Thing, co-curated by archive volunteers and members of the Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall Nottingham’s People’s Theatre Group.  

Developed in partnership with the RSC, the display explores themes of identity, class and local heritage through Shakespeare’s works and costume collections, drawing connections between productions of As You Like It and Nottingham’s historic lace trade. Entry is free and no advance booking is required.  

ENDS 

For more information please contact: Olivia Scull, Senior Media and Communications Officer, olivia.scull@rsc.org.uk 074433 84242 

NOTES TO EDITORS 

The RSC is supported using public funding by Arts Council England  

The work of the RSC is supported by the Culture Recovery Fund  

The RSC is generously supported by RSC America  

Swan’s Nest Hotel – Summer Activities Sponsor 

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is a leading global theatre company that sparks local, national and international conversations that build connections, create opportunities and bring joy.  

We passionately believe that great storytelling can change the world, and that theatre offers its own unique form of storytelling: it’s live and shared, and transforms a group of strangers into audiences who, together, experience a story come to life in front of their eyes.   

We collaborate with the most exciting artists to tell the stories of our time, and through a range of programmes we nurture the talent of the future.    

We perform on three stages in our home in Stratford-upon-Avon, in London and in communities and schools across the country and around the world.    

Our transformative Creative Learning and Engagement programmes reach over half a million young people each year.  

Arts Council England is the national development agency for creativity and culture. We have set out our strategic vision in Let’s Create that by 2030 we want England to be a country in which the creativity of each of us is valued and given the chance to flourish and where everyone of us has access to a remarkable range of high-quality cultural experiences. We invest public money from Government and The National Lottery to help support the sector and to deliver this vision. www.artscouncil.org.uk. Following the Covid-19 crisis, the Arts Council developed a £160 million Emergency Response Package, with nearly 90% coming from the National Lottery, for organisations and individuals needing support. We are also one of the bodies responsible for administering the Government’s unprecedented Culture Recovery Fund, of which we delivered over £1 billion to the sector in grants and loans. Find out more at www.artscouncil.org.uk/covid19.  

Swan's Nest Hotel combines historic charm with modern comfort in a space dedicated to delighting its guests. Located on the banks of the River Avon, only a five-minute walk from the Royal Shakespeare Company, this Georgian townhouse hotel is perfectly placed for exploring the scenic beauty and cultural heritage of Stratford-upon-Avon, promising a welcoming retreat in a location steeped in history and character.