DESIGN plans for an outdoor performance space have been revealed by the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC).
The Lydia & Manfred Gorvy Garden Theatre will be a specially constructed outdoor performance space located in the Swan Theatre Gardens, flanked by the River Avon and overlooked by the Swan Theatre.
It will seat up to 500 people, allocated on arrival and in line with government guidance.
Phillip Breen’s production of The Comedy of Errors will open the Garden Theatre, with performances from 13 July to 26 September.
The space will open to audiences in July for The Comedy of Errors – originally due to run at the theatre last spring.
As part of its pandemic-proof programme, audiences will also be invited to view the full rehearsal process for three weeks in June, culminating in a complete rehearsal room performance of Henry VI Part One broadcast online on Wednesday June 23.
RSC artistic director Gregory Doran said: “As nations all over the world emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic, and the UK theatre industry prepares to welcome in-person audiences, the RSC is re-opening by sharing our work in new, creative and surprising ways. We want to respond to our changing world and the needs of our audiences with performances and experiences outdoors and online – opening up our rehearsal rooms for the first time.
“By creating an outdoor theatre space for The Comedy of Errors we hope audiences will feel safe to return to the theatre with confidence. Our buildings will gradually come back to life during the summer through our café and restaurant, and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre will be ready for indoor performances in the autumn.”
Also included in its summer programme, is its online Playmaking Festival aimed at young people and budding performers, and the RSC’s Next Generation ACT company will also resume performances on Friday July 23 with All Mirth and No Matter – a creative response to Much Ado About Nothing. The production will run in the Garden Theatre for two public performances.
Visit rsc.org.uk for more details.
