The Courtyard Theatre

mv_cummings

Lovely theatre 14th September 2008

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The temporary home of the RSC while the main Royal Shakespeare Theatre across the road is being completely rebuilt. Although "temporary" you would not think so, it may look like a big tin shed from the outside but inside you'll find a lovely 1000 seat theatre which doesn't feel at all temporary. The Courtyard has been built to resemble how the finished RST will be so any problems found in the running of the building can be fixed in the new theatre. The thrust style stage means that you get a pretty good view from almost anywhere in the auditorium as you are never sitting to far from the stage.
Front of house there are a couple of bars which always seem to cope well even when the theatre is packed. There is also a shop selling a wide range of Shakespeare books and souvenirs.

Julesdit

Blown away 13th September 2008

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A 1000 seat theatre that is the temporay home for the RSC while the Royal Shakespeare Theatre is being redisigned. The thrust stage means no-one is far from the stage. The performance becomes a personal and intimate experience. The atmosphere was unlike any other theatre I've been in.

I saw Hamlet being performed here in August and am planning to return to see other productions. This theatre is reponsible for reignighting my love of theatre. If you ever get a chance to see a performance staged here you must go!