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Dateline: 22nd March, 2005
Celebrate Shakespeare's Birthday with the RSC On Sunday 24 April the Royal Shakespeare Company will celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday in Stratford-upon-Avon with its popular Open Day.
Between 10.30am-5.30pm festivities will include talks, demonstrations and many opportunities to get creatively involved. There will also be the chance to get up close and personal with an array of actors who have worked for the Company, including Vanessa and Corin Redgrave, Patrick Stewart, Samantha Bond and David Bradley.
In addition to the normal packed programme of activities that are free-of-charge there will also be a series of special events. These events will have an entry charge, and, as spaces are limited, tickets can be booked in advance from Saturday 26 March on the RSC Theatre Events Ticket Line - 01789 403492.
Harry Potter stars and RSC actors David Bradley (Filch) and Ray Fearon (Centaur) together with CBBC presenter Poi Fan Lee (aka Teletubby Po) will talk about all things magical, whether it’s sorcery in Shakespeare or flying around Hogwarts, in a session entitled Shakespeare’s Wizards. Shakespeare’s Wizards is at the Swan Theatre from 12.45 to 1.45pm. Tickets are Adults £10, Children £5.
Anyone who has ever wondered what it’s like to work for the RSC and in the movie industry should catch From Stratford to Hollywood as Patrick Stewart and Samantha Bond reveal all about their journey from the banks of the Avon to the hills of Hollywood. From Stratford to Hollywood is also in the Swan Theatre, from 4.30 to 5.30pm. Tickets: Adults £10, Children £5.
Also revealing all will be three of the RSC’s most popular actors who will be giving the lowdown on their Bottoms! Desmond Barrit, David Troughton and Malcolm Storry will talk about the challenge of presenting one of Shakespeare’s most loveable clowns – Bottom the Weaver from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Shakespeare’s Bottom runs in the Swan Theatre from 2 to 3pm. Tickets: Adults £10, Children £5.
RSC Honorary Director, John Barton will lead a workshop about Shakespeare’s text in performance with Vanessa Redgrave (appearing in Hecuba at the Albery Theatre in London from 26 March) and Corin Redgrave in How Shakespeare Writes For Actors. How Shakespeare Writes For Actors is at the Swan Theatre from 10.30am to 12.30pm. All tickets are £10 (suitable for 16+).
Theatre surgeries will see some of the country’s leading experts in their field share their valuable knowledge of the industry. Sessions will be led by Ishia Bennison and Richard Cordery (RSC actors), Rachel Kavanaugh (Director) and John Cannon (RSC Director of Casting). Theatre Surgeries are in the Swan Theatre Reading Room as follows:
Tickets for each session are £10.
TV Historian, Michael Wood will join RSC Associate Director, Gregory Doran, the Rt Hon Lord Hattersley, and actors David Oyelowo (from TV’s Spooks), Kathryn Hunter and Alexandra Gilbreath in conversation about Shakespeare’s legacy in a session entitled What Shakespeare Did For Us. What Shakespeare Did For Us is in the Swan Theatre from 3.15 to 4.15pm and all tickets £10 (suitable for 16+).
Backstage tours will be on offer throughout the day, and there will also be the chance to visit the RSC Workshops to see where the sets and props are made, and to talk with members of the RSC Costume department. And for those who fancy being treated like a real celebrity an exclusive Star Tour will be a backstage tour like no other. An actor will guide people around every nook and cranny of the theatre, taking in the Star Dressing Room, rehearsal rooms, the wig and make-up departments - all rounded off by tea and cake in the world-famous Green Room. These Star Tours are at 11am, 1pm, 3pm and cost £50 per person.
At the end of the Open Day members of the public can buy tickets for The Big Party. This will be a rare opportunity to mingle with the stars, enjoy a glass of bubbly and a slice of birthday cake. A special fashion show, dancing and fireworks will round off what is sure to be the glitziest and most glamorous party around! Tickets cost £20. The Big Party will run from 6.30pm-midnight in the Swan Gardens Marquee (suitable for 18+).
One of the most popular features of the Open Day is the range of drama and theatre activities specially designed for those aged between 5-16. The Other Place is certain to be a hive of activity, offering younger visitors the opportunity to act, sing, try on costumes and make their own fairy mask.
A host of other free events includes a big voice and movement warm-up run by Gary Sefton who played the Beast in the RSC’s successful Christmas show, Beauty and the Beast, and a stage fight workshop run by RSC Fight Director, Terry King. Warm Up With The Beast runs from 10.30 to 11am in the Rpyal Shakespeare Theatre and it's free. And Sword Play and Pulling Punches with Terry King (12.15 to 1pm) is also in the RST and it, too, is free. Michael Boyd, RSC Artistic Director said, “The RSC’s Open Day has firmly established itself as one of the Company’s most popular annual events. If last year is anything to go by, it looks set to be a great day that offers everyone the chance to find out more about what we do. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday.”
Members of the public can find out more or request a copy of the Open Day leaflet by contacting 01789 403492 or info@rsc.org.uk. Further information at www.rsc.org.uk. Please note that all three Archive indices are very long and will therefore take some time to download.
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