RST and Swan Opening - November

[Lorannah]

As you might have spotted in one of the threads in the Dirty Duck the RSCPress twitter has posted a few twitpics recently and in each they've posted that the RST and Swan will be reopening in November.

twitpic.com/28t2bz

twitpic.com/295w3f

But with what? Well at a recent courtyard tour it was mentioned that two of the ensemble's Shakespeare plays are going to be performed there first, but that it hadn't been decided what. It'll fit nicely into the schedule between Newcastle and London.

So what do you think? Which plays?

I reckon they'll have to have two plays from the same year, one from each side of the ensemble - otherwise some people won't get to perform whilst others perform twice. Personally I think it will be this years work - Romeo and Juliet has had the best response both from the press and the public, so that seems a sensible choice and with that I think they would pair King Lear - which has been similarly successful and is the ultimate vehicle for Greg Hicks. Of course they could surprise me.

After that it sounds like Matilda will still carry on in the Courtyard Theatre, so there may be more special events/performances in the RST and Swan over the Winter.

Can't wait

Rhian

[Queen Mab]

Last I heard they were opening for "events" but they wouldnt have shows until February. I did however hear rumour of Simon Callow's The Man From Stratford coming to the Swan in December. Not sure what to think of that, considering a) Simon is doing Twelfth Night in January and b) would the RSC open their Swan Theatre with a none-RSC production? The person who heard it was very insistant. They saw the show on tour and then tweeted what they heard, refusing to name the source. So I'm not sure.

I do still remember that on the tour I did, they said that the lighting rig in the Courtyard would be moved to the RST, preventing shows to run there at the same time. That would suggest the RST will be dark over the winter. Events could still be held there, you dont need a full lighting rig for that.

[Lorannah]

That would make sense too, they could have the two Shakespeare's running whilst they also had the three new plays on.

Simon Callow story is interesting and odd. I'm not sure either way - it might be that it's appearing at the Swan but not actually opening it - I'd imagine they'd want something a little grander to open it.

So many rumours... it's doing wonders for the anticipation but I just want to know!

Lorannah

[danielwhit]

Jul 27, 2010 15:22:33 GMT Queen Mab said:

I do still remember that on the tour I did, they said that the lighting rig in the Courtyard would be moved to the RST, preventing shows to run there at the same time. That would suggest the RST will be dark over the winter. Events could still be held there, you dont need a full lighting rig for that.

Doesn't quite sit happily in my mind that, I heard the Courtyard was to be kept open until 2011 (with the whole anniversary celebrations it makes sense to have theatres open-a-plenty). If that is the case, why move a full LX Rig, that likely isn't going to be exactly the same specification to only have to build a new one in its mother venue?

Also, installing LX Rigs is hardly an expensive operation, and they can easily sell off the Courtyard one or store bits for spares after the closure.

[Queen Mab]

Jul 27, 2010 22:56:52 GMT danielwhit said:

Doesn't quite sit happily in my mind that, I heard the Courtyard was to be kept open until 2011 (with the whole anniversary celebrations it makes sense to have theatres open-a-plenty). If that is the case, why move a full LX Rig, that likely isn't going to be exactly the same specification to only have to build a new one in its mother venue?

Also, installing LX Rigs is hardly an expensive operation, and they can easily sell off the Courtyard one or store bits for spares after the closure.

Yeah, this was before I heard the discussion of keeping the Courtyard open through 2011. It's possible plans were changed. I think we're gonna have to wait til official plans are announced, as rumours are contradicting themselves. This isn't one we can use scientific deduction to figure out!

[danielwhit]

Jul 28, 2010 8:02:13 GMT Queen Mab said:

This isn't one we can use scientific deduction to figure out!

That rules me out... Should be getting details soon, next years season should open - Septemberish?

[danielwhit]

Expanding on the last point - heard today that a press release is due in September concerning 2011 Stratford plans. All the more tempting a reason to actually join as an RSC Member, something I need to get round to doing one day!

[Lorannah]

Picked up this leaflet during last week's visit and thought I should scan it in: a) because I think the design is awesome - would love to have this on a poster and b) because it's finally confirming that Queen Mab was right about the events in November, then plays in February. Very intrigued what the on-stage events will be. Hmmm...