The Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre Tours offer an extra insight into what it takes to stage incredible plays. There are a range of tours you can now take focussing on different aspects of the theatre’s work. We took the standard ‘Theatre Tour’ which was a fascinating way to see how the old building has been melded with the new in the RSC theatre. You’ll see the original walls from the art deco building inside the new structure. The tour also takes you “behind-the-scenes” to wardrobe, the lighting booths and the audio description room. You sit in both theatres, see where the production director controls the show and get a feel for how precise the timings in an RSC production have to be. We liked this tour because it was a combination of an architectural tour and a traditional theatre tour.
Our tour started with an introduction in the lobby, explaining the redevelopment before moving to the top floor by the new restaurant area. Here you can see the oval shaped wall of the new theatre, but also part of the old wall of the original theatre. Look closely on the picture below and you will see three original seats left in their original position, now in the restaurant. This shows how much better the view of the stage now is inside the new theatre where the seats are much closer to the stage.
Next our tour took us to the ‘backstage’ area to the lighting and direction booths, before heading past the dressing rooms to the Swan Theatre at the rear of the building. We were then taken past the wardrobe department and wig making workshops through to the new theatre auditorium. Finally, we were shown some of the original art deco features of the building including the staircase below. Our guide was fascinating and was able to answer pretty much anything that was asked of him. We would have liked to have seen even more of the non-public areas of the theatre complex and it would have been great to stand on the stage, but all in all it was a great insight into the building and the performances that are created inside.
The standard ‘Theatre Tour’ that we took last approximately one hour and runs daily. Adult tickets for the tour cost cost £13.50 (2025 prices).
LOCATION & CONTACT
The theatre complex is located alongside the River Avon in the waterside area of Stratford. Nearby you’ll find Cox’s Yard and the Dirty Duck (Black Swan) Pub.
Address: Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Waterside, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6BB
Tel: 0844 800 1110 (Within the UK)
Tel: +44 1789 272227 (Outside the UK)
MORE ON THE RSC THEATRE TOURS
Royal Shakespeare Company Tours – Official website
The Arden Hotel – The recommended hotel by the RSC, next to the complex
Stay in Stratford-upon-Avon – Best prices from Booking.com
Shakespeare’s England – Official website