RSC release programme of family events for the summer
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is offering families a whole host of exciting activities this Summer. As Stratford-upon-Avon re-opens its doors to visitors and residents, the RSC will celebrate with a series of free pop-up performances, interactive workshops and outdoor performances for families, running for four weeks from Tuesday 27 July – Friday 20 August. These events will take place on the Bancroft Terrace and in the newly constructed Lydia & Manfred Gorvy Garden Theatre, situated in the Swan Gardens flanked by the River Avon.
Highlights include:
- Tuesday Comedy Time: Inspired by themes in The Comedy of Errors, join the RSC on Tuesday afternoons for funny, energetic, and silly performances, suitable for all the family.
- Pop-up performances: Georgie The Knight: Join Georgie as they discover what it means to be a knight (and how to really look the part) in these fun and exciting pop-up performances, created and directed by Nicky Cox. After each performance, the audience will be able to make an item inspired by the show. All performances will be BSL interpreted.
- Craft Workshops: Join us on the Bancroft Terrace for craft activities inspired by costume making techniques. Drop in for as long as you like to add your creative mark to our mannequins, then come back and see them on the 20 August as part of Costume Day.
- Music on the Bancroft Terrace: Enjoy a drink or an ice cream from the Riverside Cafe as you listen to a free music gig on our terrace outside the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
- An Actor’s Workout: Start your day like an actor in the rehearsal room. Join our workshop leaders for a weekly warm up in the Garden Theatre. These fun, interactive sessions are the perfect excuse to get on your feet and join in the fun with family and friends. All workshops will be BSL interpreted.
- Costume Day: On Friday 20 August, we will host a series of free pop-up performances, workshops and family-friendly activities taking place across the town, celebrating our costume making heritage.
Pop-up performances, Craft Workshops and Costume Day are part of THREADS, a programme of events that celebrate the heritage of costume making in Stratford-upon-Avon, supported by National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Elsewhere at the RSC, the Riverside Cafe has resumed its popular takeaway service. Visitors can also take advantage of the ‘Rocket’ ice cream van located at the front of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre on select days throughout the Summer. Both outlets will serve a selection of drinks, sandwiches, ice cream, crisps and delicious cakes plus a full range of fair-trade tea and coffee. The Riverside Cafe will be open at 10am, six days a week, Tuesday – Sunday.
From Tuesday 13 July, in line with government guidelines, the Rooftop Restaurant will re-open its doors with a reduced menu, available from Tuesday – Sunday. The restaurant will operate with reduced capacity so pre-booking is essential. The outdoor terraces will be open, overlooking the RSC’s picturesque landscape.
A picnic offer will be available to purchase via click and collect as well as drinks for pre theatre and interval via a new online ordering service for Garden Theatre audiences.
LISTINGS
All activities will abide by government guidance, including any required social distancing, at the time of the event.
Tuesday Comedy Time
Inspired by themes in The Comedy of Errors, join the RSC on Tuesday afternoons for funny, energetic, and silly performances, suitable for all the family.
Performances last 30 minutes and are suitable for all ages.
Free, no booking required. Spaces are limited and subject to current government guidelines.
Syrovy by Artizani
Tuesday 27 July
2pm and 3.30pm
Bancroft Terrace, outside the Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Syrovy enters the space and everyday objects conspire against him: newspapers become sails, there is a waterfall of cutlery, he dances with chairs and clothes confound him. Eventually, he finds balance on a wobbling bouncing rope.
Bonkers Balloon Show by Balloonatic
Tuesday 3 August
2pm and 3.30pm
Bancroft Terrace, outside the Royal Shakespeare Theatre
The Bonkers Balloon Show is a completely off the wall, unique show filled with comedy, circus fun, music, magic and lots and lots of balloons. A simple balloon gets turned into an alien, a helicopter and an air guitar and audience members are transformed into balloon creatures in front of your very eyes.
At Your Service by Ian Marchant
Tuesday 10 August
2pm and 3.30pm
Bancroft Terrace, outside the Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Walter the Waiter is always “At Your Service” and ready to please.
Conjuring up feats and clever tricks with his many accoutrements, always poised to deliver plenty of fun. From the confines of his mobile serving station, he’ll command carrots to dance, swing saturation around and around, manipulate champagne bottles as you have never seen, do things with spoons you can only dream of.
The Giant Balloon Show by Dizzy O’Dare
Tuesday 17 August
2pm and 3.30pm
Bancroft Terrace, outside the Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Infectiously energetic, anarchic and unashamedly silly; add an award-winning entertainer, an 80’s soundtrack, and twist that into an hilarious show for the whole family.
Pop-up performances: Georgie the Knight
Wednesday 28 July, 3, 11 and 18 August
10.30am, Bancroft Terrace, outside the Royal Shakespeare Theatre
The below performances will all take place at 2.30pm:
28 July: Amphitheatre, Stratford Canal Basin
3 August: Pavilion, Stratford Rec
11 August: Henley Street
18 August: The Band Stand, Stratford Rec
Georgie the Knight and the armour too Bright.
Join Georgie as they discover what it means to be a knight (and how to really look the part!) in these fun and energetic pop-up performances, created and directed by Nicky Cox. After each performance, the audience will be able to make an item inspired by the show.
All performances will be BSL interpreted.
Each performance lasts approx. 25 mins, followed by a 25-minute craft workshop. Free, no booking required.
Drop-in Craft Workshop
Wednesday 28 July, 3, 11 and 18 August
Bancroft Terrace, outside Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Join us on the Bancroft Terrace for craft activities inspired by costume making techniques. Drop in for as long as you like to add your creative mark to our mannequins, then come back and see them on the 20 August as part of Costume Day.
Free, drop-in, no booking required (limited capacity). Suitable for all ages.
Music on the Bancroft Terrace
4.15 – 6pm
Bancroft Terrace, outside the Royal Shakespeare Theatre
29 July: Antonia Kirby
5 August: tbc
12 August: Sugar Sweet Duo
19 August: Hannah Woof
Enjoy a drink or an ice cream from the Riverside Cafe as you listen to a free music gig on our terrace outside the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
Free, no booking required (limited capacity).
An Actor’s Workout
Friday 30 July, 6 and 13 August
10am – 11am
Lydia & Manfred Gorvy Garden Theatre
Start your day like an actor in the rehearsal room! Join our workshop leaders for a weekly warm up in the Garden Theatre. These fun, interactive sessions are the perfect excuse to get on your feet and join in the fun with family and friends.
All workshops will be BSL interpreted.
£5 each or £15 family ticket, suitable for ages 5+
Costume Day
Friday 20 August
12noon – 8pm
To celebrate the newly re-opened Costume Workshop on Waterside, the RSC will host a festival style take-over of the Stratford-upon-Avon town centre, celebrating the company’s costume-making heritage. The day will feature a series of free pop-up performances, workshops and family-friendly activities taking place across the town, giving audiences an opportunity to share their connections and memories of the Costume Workshop in a variety of ways.
More information on Costume Day to be released soon.
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