Royal Shakespeare Theatre
The Royal Shakespeare Theatre (RST) is a theatre owned by the Royal Shakespeare Company. It is located in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon in the English Midlands. The Royal Shakespeare and Swan Theatres re-opened in November 2010 after renovation known as the Transformation Project.[1]
History change
The lineage of theatre on this site spans back to 1879, but the current structure, inaugurated in November 2010,[2] bears little resemblance to its predecessor. Nonetheless, the history preceding it holds relevance for today's theatrical landscape.
The notion of a Shakespeare Memorial Theatre emerged from the Tercentenary Festival of 1864 in Stratford, spurred by the absence of a permanent tribute during the 1769 Garrick Jubilee or the 1824 Stratford theatre, later demolished in 1872.
For the 1864 celebration, a grand wooden pavilion, akin to a luxurious circus tent, was swiftly erected by local architects Thompson & Colbourne. Although initially temporary, it boasted remarkable acoustics and functionality, yet was dismantled soon after the festival's conclusion.
In 1875, the Shakespeare Memorial Association spearheaded efforts for a permanent venue, culminating in the 1879 opening of the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, a unique amalgamation of Mediaeval and Elizabethan architectural elements.
Destroyed by fire in 1926, it was replaced by a new design by Elisabeth Scott, opened in 1932 amidst controversy. While praised for its architectural innovation, critics lamented its departure from practical theatre design principles, sparking debates that endure to this day.
References change
- ↑ Reid, Robert L. (July 2011). "Royal Treatment: a six year effort to redevelop the Royal Shakespere Company's signature theater". Civil Engineering Magazine. 81 (7). American Society of Civil Engineers: 73–81. doi:10.1061/ciegag.0000358.
- ↑ "Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) | History, Artistic Directors, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 2024-04-03. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
