SusieCue

Would like to see a Shakespearean production next June, but their website only lists bill for this season. Has anyone been there in June? Is there a summer schedule? Thanks.

NeoPatrick

I suspect they will be announcing the summer season soon. Yes, it's great there in July, and probably two or three theatres will be offering shows there at that time.

henneth

It may be a bit different since NeoPatrick's visit. The Royal Shakespeare theatre will start its three year refurbishment programme in April 2007, this will continue with the adjacent Swan Theatre by July. This may explain why schedules aren't listed yet but to my knowledge they aren't published until January/February anyway. Performances will continue uninterupted at the Courtyard Theatre (formerly The Other Place).

SusieCue

Henneth, then the RS and the Swan will be closed in June 2007?

NeoPatrick

The newsletter I got from the RSC says nothing about the Swan closing next summer. I had forgotten that the main theatre is slated to close "mid 2007" and I'm not sure what exactly that means. The "Other Place" which was a tiny blackbox space has been replaced by a much larger temporary space that is to replace the main theatre while refurbishment is going on. So as far as the news I have, there will be two theatres operating in June -- the Swan and the "temporary" one.
If they are closing the Swan and the main stage at the same time, they are being rather close-lipped about it, but that's certainly possible.

NeoPatrick

Ah, I did find one RSC "news" article that says the Swan will close next August.

SusieCue

I exchanged emails with the RSC, and here is the reply, "There are no performances scheduled in the RST and Swan Theatres beyond March 2007 due to the forthcoming redevelopment. They are due to be closed until 2010." There will be performances in the 1000 seat Courtyard Theatre.

NeoPatrick

Wow, I bet by 2010, at least two or three dozen tacky souvenier shops will have closed in Stratford! That town's sure going to take a hit losing half to 2/3 of its daily theatre goers.

Margo_Chester

Susie, how about taking in a production at the Globe theater in London next June? http://www.shakespeares-globe.org/

bellini

Where are all these tacky souvenir shops in Stratford? I walked through town this afternoon and I counted two that could possibly be called tacky! They obviously do business as they've been there for 20 years that I know of.
The Main Theatre is closing for major refurbishment next April (2007) and the Swan theatre next summer. The 1000 seater Courtyard Theatre (locally known as the Rusty Shed) is already in operation. Other venues such as the Civic Hall may also be used for performances. Also Stratford has much more to offer than just theatres- the Shakespeare properties - birthplace, Ann Hathaway's Cottage etc are worth a visit and the town is a small market town with some very historic buildings in a lovely riverside setting. Come & enjoy!

PalenqueBob

The RSC is currently doing a residency at a local university...some interesting things in the article about them - the venue here seats about 1,900 but the theatre in Stratford they work in - the Swan i think, seats but 360 or so and lots of people are standing right up to the stage - the actors saying what a difference it will be - they prefer the Stratford type crowding, much like it was apparently in the Bard's day with the groundlings standing all about. So sounds like the Swan gives a real intimate experience.

janisj

Bellini: I totally agree w/ you. The conventional wisdom is the Stratford is a tacky/tourist infested hell hole. Like a lot of other conventional "wisdom" - it ain't all that accurate IMHO.

There are a few of souviner shops across from the Birthplace/museum and some other shops that have mixed merchandise (some souviners, some totally non-tourist-centric stuff)

NeoPatrick

I hope my comment about a number of tacky tourist souvenier shops wasn't taken to mean that I think Stratford is a "tacky/tourist infested hell hole". I don't think it is at all. In fact, I've always found it rather charming.

But anyone who thinks there aren't a significantly higher number of shops aimed at tourists than most any other city of the same size in the UK, just plain hasn't been there, or has traveled with eyes shut. My comment was that there are a lot of shops dependent upon the thousands of tourists weekly who come primarily for the shows at RSC. To think that when those numbers are reduced by more than half, some shops won't be dramatically impacted, is sheer optimism.

SusieCue

Ok, Ok. I'm reminded of my experience when visiting Israel and the number of tourist shops along the way of the Stations of the Cross, or the number of shops when visiting the places thought to be the birthplace or place of death of Jesus. I was taken aback by the commercialism, but okay.

walkinaround

while not souvenir shops, my two favourites are "the shakespearience" and "much ado about toys".

i spent far too much time working in this town. it is not a very interesting place.

it's ok in the summer when you get a lot of foreign students that liven the place up a bit but for the most part it's yawn inducing.