Your Safety

Here's what you need to know about how we're keeping you safe during your visit.

The pandemic has had a devastating impact on the arts industries, and it continues to be an extremely difficult environment in which to present live performances. To address these challenges, ensure we keep our staff and audiences safe and minimise risk to the performances we are continuing with a number of safety measures.

We clean and sanitise all areas of our buildings and facilities thoroughly before, during and after every performance or event. The auditorium seating is fogged twice weekly with disinfectant spray.

Whilst our fresh air handling system will maintain an ambient temperature inside the theatre, we will keep the foyers and other front of house areas naturally well ventilated so they may feel much colder than usual.

Before you come

Please ensure everyone in your party is aware of these arrangements before they arrive.
If you have any Covid-19 symptoms (high temperature, new persistent cough, loss of taste or smell) or have been advised to isolate, then don't attend in person.

Arriving

Enter the Royal Shakespeare Theatre building through the main front doors, and you will be directed towards your seating area. The bars will be open from one hour before the performance. You can use the toilets and collect drinks before taking your seat in the theatre.

Bag checks

We'll carry out a contactless bag check outside before you enter the building. We might ask you to remove items from your bag to assist with this.

The cloakroom is now open, but please keep personal items to an absolute minimum and only bring a small bag. Large bags won't be allowed into the theatre.

Hand sanitising

There are hand sanitiser stations in prominent, convenient positions throughout our building.

There are plenty of toilets available, all with hot water, soap and paper towels or hand dryers.

Face coverings

We recommend that you wear a face covering within our buildings and theatres, including in the auditorium, unless you are exempt, under 11 years old or when eating and drinking.

Social distancing

Whilst most performances in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre will be at full capacity, we will endeavour to manage social distancing in all other areas where possible. We greatly appreciate your support with this. There will be queueing systems in place at sales points and toilets.

Food and drink

Our bars will be open one hour before the performance and closed after the interval. We encourage you to eat or drink when seated, in either the bar or auditorium.

Tickets

We are now only offering e-tickets, which you can either print out or show on a mobile device when you arrive. If you can't print or access your e-ticket please contact tickets@rsc.org.uk

After the performance

You may be directed out using all available exits. There won’t be any opportunity to meet the actors after the show at Stage Door.

IN AN EMERGENCY

We will do all that we can to ensure that you are safe and that your enjoyment of the experience is not interrupted. In the event of an emergency, we will ensure we avoid clustering at exits and outside our buildings.

FAQs

How do I know if the performance I have booked for has been cancelled?

If you are due to come to a performance and it is cancelled, we will contact you directly by phone or email. Please don’t contact our Box Office directly. We will also post the latest information on any show cancellations on our social media channels.

We only cancel a performance as a last resort with the focus being the safety of audiences as well as the RSC and venue team, and importantly minimising the risk of further transmission.
Do you stream online performances?

Much Ado About Nothing

Much Ado About Nothing was broadcast on BBC Four in 3 April 2022. You can watch the full production on BBC iPlayer now.

Watch on iPlayer

Henry VI: Part One

This is a unique opportunity for audiences to experience Shakespeare's early play, performed as a rehearsal room run through. Experience the thrill of rebellion, the brutality of battle, and ambition without boundaries. Beginning Shakespeare's Wars of the Roses trilogy, Henry VI Part One follows a young and reclusive Henry, who is proclaimed King of England after the death of his father.

Find out more

Schools' Broadcasts

We provide free on demand Schools' Broadcasts, giving all UK schools access to broadcasts of our productions.

Find out more

Watch our productions on streaming services

Sign up for free trials on streaming services BroadwayHD, Marquee TV and BritBox to see full videos of some of our productions, including 2019's As You Like It, Antony Sher in 2016's King Lear, and Polly Findlay's haunting Macbeth, with Christopher Eccleston.
What are my refund options if I book tickets?

If we need to cancel your performance for any reason, you will be entitled to a full refund. If you find you cannot attend for a reason to do with the current pandemic, we will offer an exchange or credit note up to 24 hours before the performance.