Royal Shakespeare Company

Royal Shakespeare Company: classical and contemporary theatre from Stratford-upon-Avon

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is a British theatre company that produces shows in Stratford-upon-Avon, London and other national and international venues. Its programme combines plays by William Shakespeare, his contemporaries and contemporary playwrights, and includes adaptations of novels and texts by living authors. The company presents itself as an artistic project with global reach that seeks to generate local, national and international conversations through live theatre.

Three permanent theatres and activity beyond Stratford

The RSC has three permanent theatres in Stratford-upon-Avon: the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, the Swan Theatre and The Other Place. In addition, it is active in London, in digital formats and on tours across the UK and abroad. The company also develops performances in communities and schools, and maintains a presence in cinemas with screenings of its productions.

Announced programme for 2027

The company's website lists seven new productions for 2027, including plays by Shakespeare and adaptations by female authors. The announced programme includes:

• Richard II, by William Shakespeare, in Stratford-upon-Avon, from 10 April to 22 May 2027.
• Coriolanus, by William Shakespeare, in Stratford-upon-Avon, from 6 February to 20 March 2027.
• Piranesi, adapted from the novel by Susanna Clarke by Sami Ibrahim, in co-production with Playful Productions and Grain Of Sand Productions, in Stratford-upon-Avon, from 3 July to 21 August 2027.
• Born With Teeth, by Liz Duffy Adams, in Stratford-upon-Avon, from 12 February to 3 April 2027.
• Mrs Dalloway, by Zoe Cooper from the novel by Virginia Woolf, in Stratford-upon-Avon, from 16 April to 12 June 2027.
• Romeo & Juliet, by William Shakespeare, in Stratford-upon-Avon, from 6 July to 28 August 2027.
• The Comedy of Errors, by William Shakespeare, in association with Sherman Theatre, in Stratford-upon-Avon, from 16 July to 4 September 2027.

The company has also announced a tour of First Encounters: Julius Caesar, with text edited by Robin Belfield, and has published rehearsal images of As You Like It.

Learning, research and educational programmes

The RSC develops creative learning and participation programmes that, according to its data, reach more than half a million young people each year. Its areas of work include the Shakespeare Curriculum, training for schools and teachers, work with young people and universities, lifelong learning and the First Encounters with Shakespeare programme. The company also maintains the Associate Schools Programme and Shakespeare in Schools activities, as well as research and public policy responses on access to the arts. In autumn 2026 it celebrates twenty years of long-term partnerships, with an arts symposium planned for 18 September 2026.

History and structure

The company's origins date back to 1879, when local brewer Edward Fordham Flower and his son Charles promoted the creation of a theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. The RSC as it is known today was founded by Sir Peter Hall in 1961, with the ambition of producing new plays alongside those of Shakespeare and his contemporaries. The organisation has a board of governors, directors and associate artists, and describes itself as a registered charity with the number 212481. Its work is supported by the Culture Recovery Fund.

Visitor services and commercial activity

The company offers guided tours of its theatres, access and arrival information, seating plans and group options. Its premises include a restaurant, cafés and bars, including the Rooftop Restaurant. Tickets are sold through its box office and online channels, with published prices and discounts. The RSC also carries out commercial activities such as image and film licensing, costume hire and prop hire. It has a membership and support programme with priority booking, gift memberships, £10 tickets, RSC America, RSC Friends, the opportunity to name a seat in the Swan Theatre, legacies and corporate opportunities.

Publications and resources on Shakespeare

The RSC website brings together educational materials about Shakespeare, including an alphabetical list of his plays, classifications by tragedies, comedies and histories, a timeline of the plays, famous quotes and sections on the author's language and life and times. The company also maintains a podcast and publishes news, features and casting updates.