£5m windfall for Royal Shakespeare Company
redevelopment of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, which had a £50 million award from the Arts Council’s lottery fund.
Construction began in 2007, when the RSC moved into its temporary 1,000-seat Courtyard Theatre, a close match for the future RST, which has proved extremely popular with audiences.
It is planned to reopen all three of the RSC’s permanent theatres in Stratford – the RST, The Swan and The Other Place – in 2010, a year ahead of the company’s 50th anniversary.
Vikki Heywood, RSC executive director, said: “We are delighted the Arts Council has been able to make this continued and vital investment.
“The funds will allow us to maintain our commitment to ensemble theatre making, invest in artistic development and continue to bring work to new audiences in Stratford, Newcastle, London and on tour.
“We are looking forward to an exciting programme in 2009, including the arrival of our next long ensemble, the company who will open our fantastic new building, with a thrust stage at its heart, bringing actors and audiences closer together.”
