Royal Shakespeare Company
The main reason why Stratford-Upon-Avon is on anyone’s “must-do” lists is because it’s the birthplace of William Shakespeare and consequently home to the Royal Shakespeare Company.
It’s as simple as that really. Yes it is a beautiful place to visit even if you don’t go and see a production – the River Avon, the parks, the surrounding countryside all help to put this small midlands town on the tourist trail.
But going to Stratford-Upon-Avon without seeing a production at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre is just plain daft! And whilst the Royal Shakespeare Company is committed to keeping the complete works alive, they are also committed to keeping the plays relevant to today’s society: which means some radical updating over the past 400 years!
So who are they?
The RSC website says: “The RSC is one of the world’s best known theatre companies. It’s our job to connect people with Shakespeare and produce bold, ambitious work with living writers, actors and artists. We are an ensemble company, so everyone here has a part to play in creating distinctive theatre.”
Of course they do not only perform at the theatres in Stratford-Upon-Avon. They are also to be found in London and regularly on tour around the country, but in my view if you are planning to see a Shakespeare play then you should see it in his own backyard (although Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London comes a very close second!).
The Royal Shakespeare Company are a repertory company which means they perform a wide variety of shows throughout the week rather than concentrating on one for the whole season (although they give Julius Caesar a good old bash during June)! Rather than try to recreate their diary here, there are links to the forthcoming seasons attached. Do have a browse there before selecting your dates and coming back here to book your Stratford Break.
In this festival year of 2012 the RSC will also be going to London. Check out Theatre Breaks – the original theatre break site – or
London Theatre Breaks for further details.