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London, United Kingdom (August 02, 2007) /ChinaNewswire.com/ — For theatre lovers, now is the time to visit Shakespeare's Stratford. Experience the Royal Shakespeare Company's spectacular 1030 seat Courtyard Theatre, specially designed as a prototype for the thrust-stage auditorium which the new Royal Shakespeare Theatre (RST) will house. The Courtyard Theatre, which opened in July 2006, has already been described by the Financial Times as 'one of the finest theatrical spaces of recent years'.

With work due to be completed on the new RST in 2010, The Courtyard Theatre will only be in existence for around three years, so ensure you visit this remarkable theatre which has already won a place in the hearts of many patrons. In June 2007, The Courtyard Theatre won an award from the Royal Institute of British Architects and is a contender in this year's Stirling Prize. As well as watching a number of breath-taking performances, visitors to the Courtyard Theatre can also enjoy free tours, revealing a fascinating insight into the backstage world of the RSC.

The RSC's repertoire in 2007 continues with Artistic Director, Michael Boyd's acclaimed staging of all of Shakespeare's History plays in The Courtyard Theatre. Henry VI, Parts I, II and III and Richard III have already opened. In July Richard II and Henry IV Parts I and II open, the latter featuring stage and screen actor David Warner as Falstaff, and in November Henry V will join the repertoire. In February and March 2008 audiences will have the chance to see all eight plays in the History Cycle – more than 24 hours of drama over a period of four days, charting 100 years of English history.

In between the History plays is Shakespeare's comedy, Twelfth Night, directed by Neil Bartlett with John Lithgow as Malvolio, who many people will know from hit American TV sitcom Third Rock From The Sun. It plays in The Courtyard Theatre August – October 2007.

Saturdays and Sundays in August will see the return of the RSC's ‘Shakespeare on Film', a free open air film festival taking place on the Recreation Ground. Films include Shakespeare in Love, West Side Story and My Own Private Idaho.

Over the Christmas period the RSC will also be performing at Stratford Civic Hall. Ideal for younger audiences, the RSC will present a delightful puppet version The Little Angel Theatre's production of Roald Dahl's Fantastic Mr Fox, adapted by Sarah Woods. The Civic Hall will also present a new adaptation of Malorie Blackman's novel Noughts and Crosses. One of the most popular books read by teenagers, the story is inspired by Romeo and Juliet, dealing with the themes of bigotry, terrorism and injustice.

For theatre and attraction tickets, accommodation, brochures, special offers and more information visit the official website: www.shakespeare-country.co.uk or call South Warwickshire Tourism on 0870 160 7930.

INTERNET LINKS

http://www.shakespeare-country.co.uk

South Warwickshire Tourism is a private/public tourism partnership, with a membership of over 400 tourism businesses, responsible for marketing and visitor services within “Shakespeare Country”, one of the leading tourist destinations in England, which spans the administrative districts of Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick.

CONTACT INFORMATION

• For more information, interviews and photo opportunities please contact:
  Tanya Lavin at Marketing Aloud on 01926 620028 or tanya@marketingaloud.co.uk
  Or Andy Woodward at SWT on 01926 621786or marketing3@shakespeare-country.co.uk
  For RSC press enquiries and images, please contact Dean Asker on 01789 412660 or dean.asker@rsc.org.uk.
  The public can find out more about the RSC, its shows and backstage tours of The Courtyard Theatre via www.rsc.org.uk or by calling the Box Office on 0844 800 1110.

[smpr_tags]Shakespeare, London[/smpr_tags]