The Royal Shakespeare Company is a celebrated acting group based in the 16th-century writer’s hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon. Although the company tours the United Kingdom and other countries, they perform around 20 productions annually in their hometown. The Royal Shakespeare Theatre and the Swan Theatre share a foyer along the River Avon in the charming town near Birmingham. The complex also includes restaurants and bars. See a Shakespearean play or take a behind-the-scenes tour of the theater.
Look around the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, the main auditorium that holds 1,040 seats. Book a ticket to take an elevator up the 118-foot (36-meter) tower and enjoy panoramic views of Stratford-upon-Avon. Examine the artwork displayed on the walls as you descend the staircase.
The Swan Theatre is a more intimate hall with just 450 seats. Three tiers of traditional wooden balconies surround the stage. Visit exhibitions held here that showcase photography, costumes and other memorabilia relating to the theater.F
ind out about the origins and stories behind the Royal Shakespeare Company on a behind-the-scenes tour. There are a number of different tours you can take for a fee, ranging from a tour of the theater to open-air tours of the town and an after-dark ghost tour.
Choose between several restaurants within the Royal Shakespeare Company complex for lunch or dinner. Book tickets to see a performance online or at the venue. The performances are not restricted to Shakespearian plays. Productions such as Les Misérables, Les Liaisons Dangereuses and Arthur Miller’s The Crucible have also been staged here.
The Royal Shakespeare Company is based along the River Avon in Stratford-upon-Avon, a market town 22 miles (35 kilometers) south of Birmingham. The town is famous as the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Come by train from Birmingham or London Marylebone. The last train back from Stratford-upon-Avon leaves just before midnight. If you choose to drive, there are several parking lots close to the complex that charge a fee. Most of the buildings and restaurants in the Royal Shakespeare Company complex open daily from morning until night.