Royal Shakespeare Theatre

The Royal Shakespeare Theatre is a stage theater in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, with an auditorium seating over a thousand people and a stage that projects into the hall. The complex also includes a rooftop restaurant, an observation tower, and exhibition spaces spread across several floors.

Elisabeth Scott designed the building in 1932, becoming the first woman to create a major public structure in Britain. The new building incorporated parts of the original Shakespeare Memorial Theatre from 1879, which now serves as conference and rehearsal rooms.

The building serves as home to the Royal Shakespeare Company, which stages both classic plays from the Elizabethan period and modern productions here. Visitors experience performances on a thrust stage that extends far into the auditorium and creates a close relationship between performers and audience.

Wheelchair access is provided throughout the venue, and facilities include exhibition areas and a tower with a viewing platform. Visitors can dine at the restaurant located on the roof, which offers wide views over the town before or after a performance.

The stage extends so far into the hall that no audience member sits more than 20 feet (6 meters) from the actors. This arrangement follows the tradition of Elizabethan theaters, where performers could address the audience directly.

Location: Stratford-upon-Avon

Inception: 1932

Architects: Elisabeth Scott

Website: https://rsc.org.uk/your-visit/royal-shakespeare-theatre

GPS coordinates: 52.19061,-1.70380

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:24