The Courtyard Theatre, Stratford

Courtyard Theatre
Southern Lane, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire.

Buy Tickets: 0844 847 1722 - or use the online links below

The new 1,000-seat Courtyard Theatre opened in July 2006. This new venue will allow the The Royal Shakespeare Company to continue performing in Stratford-upon-Avon during the rebuilding of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. The Courtyard Theatre is the RSC's main theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon while work on the Royal Shakespeare Theatre is carried out.

The Merchant of Venice
From 3 April to 27 September 2008 - in repertory
William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice directed by Tim Carroll. When a bride is won with an enemy's money, the debt must be repaid. As bonds of friendship are put to the test, either love or hatred could triumph in Shakespeare’s unsettling comedy. Angus Wright returns to the RSC to play Shylock. Georgina Rich, whose previous theatre credits include the role of Baby in the stage version of Dirty Dancing, makes her RSC debut as Portia. Amara Karan, also makes her first appearance with the Company to play Jessica. Tim Carroll directs his first production for the RSC having been an Associate Director of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. The Merchant of Venice is presented by The Royal Shakespeare Company in repertoire at The Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from 3 April to 27 September 2008.

The Taming of the Shrew
From 24 April to 25 September 2008 - in repertory
William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew directed by Conall Morrison. The flamboyant Petruchio wins the unruly Kate's hand in marriage. Will his unconventional methods succeed in curing her temper and scolding tongue? Shakespeare explores the sexual politics of marriage in one of his earliest and most controversial comedies. Michelle Gomez joins the RSC for the first time to play Kate. Stephen Boxer returns to the company to play Petruchio. The Taming of the Shrew is directed by Conall Morrison, whose production of Macbeth played in the Swan Theatre in 2007. Conall is an Associate Artist of the Abbey Theatre, Dublin. The Taming of the Shrew is presented by The Royal Shakespeare Company in repertoire at The Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from 24 April to 25 September 2008.

A Midsummer Night's Dream
From 9 May to 13 November 2008 - in repertory
William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream directed by Gregory Doran. A feast of magic, music, humour and spectacle, A Midsummer Night's Dream is one of Shakespeare's best-loved comedies. The boundaries between reality and imagination merge as the characters find themselves caught in a web of magic in the Athenian woods. This production revives Gregory Doran's hugely popular and critically acclaimed show from the 2005 Comedies Season. Joe Dixon, who played Oberon in the 2005 production, returns to the Company to take the role of Bottom. Also returning to the Company is Mark Hadfield, who takes the role of Puck. A Midsummer Night's Dream is presented by The Royal Shakespeare Company in repertoire at The Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from 9 May to 13 November 2008.

Hamlet
From 24 July to 15 November 2008 - in repertory
William Shakespeare's Hamlet directed by Gregory Doran. Shakespeare's great tragedy of a young man haunted by his father's ghost and driven to the edge of madness in his obsession to avenge his death. David Tennant returns to the RSC to play the title role, directed by RSC Chief Associate Director Gregory Doran. David last appeared with the RSC as Romeo in Romeo and Juliet and Antipholus of Syracuse in The Comedy of Errors in 2000. As well as acting extensively on the stage, most recently in The Pillowman at the National Theatre, David has become a household name as the tenth actor to portray Dr Who. Patrick Stewart returns to the RSC to play Claudius. He last appeared with the Company to great acclaim during the Complete Works Festival as Antony in Antony and Cleopatra and Prospero in The Tempest. Hamlet is presented by The Royal Shakespeare Company in repertoire at The Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from 24 July to 15 November 2008.

Love's Labour's Lost
From 2 October to 15 November 2008 - in repertory
William Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost directed by Gregory Doran. The King of Navarre and the nobles of his court vow to study, fast, sleep little and see no ladies for three years. However, when the Princess of France and her ladies arrive in the kingdom, the Lords discover their resolve is more difficult to keep than they first imagined. Shakespeare's rarely performed, exuberant comedy explores the power of love over reason. Love's Labour's Lost is directed by RSC Chief Associate Director Gregory Doran. The ensemble includes David Tennant. Love's Labour's Lost is presented by The Royal Shakespeare Company in repertoire at The Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from 2 October to 15 November 2008.