The Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford upon Avon was first opened (next to the site of an earlier Victorian theatre that burnt down) in 1932, designed by Elisabeth Scott (and thus the first important building in Britain to have been designed by a woman). It retains many of its original art deco features, although it was extensively renovated, extended and transformed in 2010, to improve both the visitor experience and the conditions for actors and crew.
It is not, in my opinion, a particularly beautiful building. From some angles it looks like a utilitarian community hall and is rather rambling inside. It's a Grade II* listed building. It must be difficult to work with such an iconic 'national treasure'. The theatre is privately owned by the Royal Shakespeare Company, dedicated to performing the works of William Shakespeare and his contemporaries, as well as producing new work by living authors and touring extensively, both here and abroad.
The public areas have many photos of current and past productions and some costumes and props on display. I spotted a huge poster of David Tennant as King Lear. I'd love to have seen that!
Lovely. I'd like to see David Tenant in almost anything.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing Tenant with the long hair!
ReplyDeleteWhen icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail, When blood is nipped and ways be foul, When nightly sings the staring owl, Tu-whit;Tu-who! A merry note, While greasy Joan doth keel the pot.......
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind seeing the Bard performed there.
ReplyDeleteMust have been fun to visit Stratford. I came close a decade ago but went in a different direction instead.
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