www.rsc.org.uk/groups

Group Visits 2012

Stratford-upon-Avon‘The theatre is a great place - with a really good atmosphere. I have enjoyed every visit I have made since it reopened...’ RSC VISIToR 2011

1 WelcometoStratford-upon-Avon

2 RSCPerformances

3 The Tower

4/5 EatingandDrinking

6/7 TheatreTours/GroupPackages

8 SuggestedItinerary

9 Exhibitions/Shop

10 Accommodation

11 RSC GroupMembership

12 MembershipJoiningForm

13 Howtofindus

14 Map ofStratford-upon-Avon/ OpeningTimes

RoyalShakespeareCompanyContentsRoyal Shakespeare Company The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is one of the world’s largest theatre companies. We perform the works of Shakespeare, his contemporaries and new writing throughout the year at our home in Stratford-upon-Avon, in the Heart of England. The company performs across three venues in the town, the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, the Swan Theatre and The Courtyard Theatre. Each theatre is unique in set up and all boast dramatic thrust stage auditoriums. The theatres have been re-open for just over a year after having undergone a four year transformation to make the RSC the leading venue for Shakespeare in the world.

2012 – Be part of it In 2012, London will host the greatest show on earth and the RSC is proud to be part of it. The London 2012 Cultural Olympiad is the largest cultural celebration in the history of the modern Olympic and Paralympic Movements. Its culmination will be the London 2012 Festival, which will include the World Shakespeare Festival. The RSC’s Summer Season in Stratford-upon-Avon and London forms part of the Festival and tickets are now on sale. Alongside major new RSC productions, we welcome companies from around the world to perform on our stages. Fifteen different shows are taking place across Stratford-upon-Avon and at London’s Roundhouse. Book now and be part of it.

Experience a different kind of theatre If you don’t have to time to see a performance then why not enjoy the stunning views from the Tower, discover theatrical secrets on a Theatre Tour or spend time exploring the free exhibitions? We also offer a great venue for group dining with a choice of places to eat.

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Performances TheTower

World Shakespeare Festival 2012 is an exciting year with our Summer Season in Stratford-upon-Avon and London forming part of the World Shakespeare Festival. Tickets are now on sale for fifteen productions, including Twelfth Night, The Tempest, Much Ado About Nothing and Julius Caesar.

Winter Season Following the World Shakespeare Festival, the RSC’s Winter Season opens in October 2012 with a family show - a new adaptation of Russell Hoban’s classic children’s story The Mouse and his Child, which will play in repertoire with the light-hearted Shakespeare comedy, The Merry Wives of Windsor in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Meanwhile, the Swan Theatre premieres a trilogy of newly-adapted international plays, in repertoire from November, under the banner ‘A World Elsewhere’. Productions include The Orphan of Zhao (sometimes referred to as the Chinese Hamlet), Alexander Pushkin’s play, Boris Godunov and The Life of Galileo, a new adaptation of Brecht’s famous play.

For more information on productions or to find out what is currently playing visit www.rsc.org.uk or call the RSC Ticket Hotline on 0844 800 1110.

See Stratford-upon-Avon from a different perspective Take a trip up the Theatre Tower and enjoy the fantastic views of Shakespeare’s home town. Visits to the Tower are timed and take approximately 20 minutes. The Tower is open from 10am (9.30am on Saturdays).

CostTickets cost £2 per person for groups of 8 or more (standard price £2.50 per person, £1 per person for RSC Group Members*). See page 11 for information about Group Membership.

How to Book The Tower can accommodate 20 people per trip. Tickets for the Tower are available by calling the Box Office on 0844 800 1110. Advance booking recommended.

Groups Packages Why not combine a trip up the Tower with a Theatre Tour or refreshments; find out more on page 6. If your group is larger than 20 then look at our suggested itinerary on page 8.

*Terms and Conditions apply

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Group Ticket Discount We offer a group ticket discount for parties of 8 or more adults. Groups can enjoy £5 off Superseats and top price seats (£7 off for RSC Group Members), plus one half price ticket for your group organiser. This discount is available for Monday to Friday performances.

EatingandDrinkingThe Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Swan Theatre offer your group a range of places to eat and drink; whether you wish to eat pre-show, enjoy a leisurely meal outside a theatre visit, or relax with tea and cake overlooking the River Avon.

Rooftop Restaurant and Bar Situated on the top floor of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, the Rooftop Restaurant and Bar offers stunning views of the River Avon and surrounding countryside. Open daily from 11.30am, the restaurant serves simply cooked modern British food, in a unique space. A fixed price, pre-theatre dining menu is available from 11.30am for matinees and 4.30pm for evening performances, with two and three course options available, starting at £15.50.

The Round Room Situated in the Rooftop Restaurant and Bar is the Round Room, a private dining area for up to 20 people. Perfect for celebrations or exclusive gatherings, you and your guests can enjoy the food and service from the main restaurant in your own intimate dining space.

To reserve a table in the restaurant or the Round Room please call 01789 403449. Bookings for 6 or less can be taken online at www.rsc.org.uk/rooftop

Riverside Cafe Serving a range of tea and coffee, light snacks, sandwiches, salads, cakes and pastries, the Riverside Cafe opens from 10am (9.30am Saturday). No booking required.

Swan Bar Open daily from 12 noon, this beautifully restored Victorian bar is the perfect place to relax in the afternoon, or for post-show drinks.

View from the Rooftop Restaurant and Bar

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We offer a range of tours that will bring you closer to the world of theatre and to the history behind the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Behind the Scenes Tour – From £135 These guided tours explore both the public and private areas of the theatre. You will learn about the origins of the RSC and its theatres in Stratford, as well as explore a production in more depth to learn about the theatre making process.

Front of House Tour – From £90 Join our experienced guides on a tour of the public areas of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and a guide through the history of the company. In addition guides reveal how costumes are made and how effects are achieved.

Open Air Tour – From £117 Available throughout the summer months, or on request. Taking you along the banks of the River Avon discover more about the history of our theatres and the story behind the founding of the Royal Shakespeare Company. The tour takes in the theatre buildings and surrounding theatre gardens.

After Dark Tour – From £117 Join us after dark and learn about the grey lady and other RSC spectres on a ghost tour.

Theatre Tour prices apply to groups of 20, if your group is larger each additional person will be charged at the per person rate below. If your group is smaller than 20 the per person price also applies.

Behind the Scenes - £7.50 per person Front of Hour Tour – £5 per person Open Air Tour – £6.50 per person After Dark Tour – £6.50 per person

For more information or to book online visit www.rsc.org.uk/theatretours or call the RSC Box Office on 0844 800 1110.

TheatreTours

After Dark Tours, explore the spooky side of the RSC

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Package 1 – From £225 for a group of 20 A full Behind the Scenes Tour followed by morning coffee with pastries or a cream tea.*

Package 2 – From £180 for a group of 20 A Front of House Tour followed by morning coffee with pastries or a cream tea.*

For a longer stay, add a trip up the Theatre Tower to your visit:

Package 3 – From £265 for a group of 20 A full Behind the Scenes Tour followed by morning coffee with pastries or a cream tea* and a trip up the Theatre Tower.

Package 4 – From £220 for a group of 20 A Front of House Tour followed by morning coffee with pastries or a cream tea* and a trip up the Theatre Tower.

Refreshments will usually be served at the Swan Bar after the tour. The visit to the Tower will take place after refreshments.

Packages are available for groups of 20 or more and can be booked by telephone on 0844 800 1110 or in person at the Box Office. Advance booking is required at least two weeks prior to visit.*Cream tea includes one scone with jam and cream and a cup of tea or coffee per person. Morning coffee includes a cup of tea or coffee and a selection of pastries for your group.

Why not combine your tour with morning coffee, cream tea or a trip up the Tower?

GroupPackages NEWANDExCluSIvEFOR2012

See behind the scenes of the RSC

Exhibitions

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Our exhibitions programme offers a fresh perspective on Shakespeare and the work of the RSC. We commission today’s most interesting artists to create new work for our two dedicated exhibition spaces, the Swan Room and the PACCAR Room, and as displays around the building.

During 2012 the building will house exhibitions from theatre company, Stan’s Cafe and acclaimed community arts charity The House of Fairy Tales. There is also a permanent exhibition of miniature artwork embedded in the theatre walls around the building, My RSC Gallery. Exhibitions are free and are open 7 days a week. To see what is exhibiting throughout the year visit www.rsc.org.uk/exhibitions

Stan’s Cafe – presenting human statistics with grains of rice to create a playful and at times politically charged work of art.

SuggestedItinerary

Stocking exclusive RSC branded products, as well as a range of Shakespeare related DVDs, books and CDs, the RSC Shop is the ideal place to pick up a souvenir of your visit to Stratford-upon-Avon. Products can also be purchased online at www.rsc.org.uk/shop

Shop

Suggested day trip to the Royal Shakespeare Company for groups of 8+ adults

11am Arrive at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

11.15am Theatre Tour

12 noon Lunch in the Rooftop Restaurant

1.15pm Matinee performance

4.15pm Performance ends

4.20pm Tower visit. If your group is larger than 20 you will need to split into groups; the rest of the group can enjoy a tea or coffee in the Swan Bar, or take in one of our free exhibitions

5pm Depart Royal Shakespeare Theatre

For details of the cost of bringing your group to the RSC for the day please call the RSC Ticket Hotline on 0844 800 1110 or +44 (0)1789 403434.

If you regularly arrange trips to Stratford-upon-Avon with groups of 8 or more and would like to view the facilities and talk over packages please email welcome@rsc.org.uk

Royal Shakespeare Theatre Auditorium

Become a Group Member and enjoy the best that the RSC has to offer.

RSC Group Membership costs just £18 per year and offers Members a number of exclusive benefits including Priority Booking, ticket discounts, a dedicated ticket hotline and a deferred payment option.

RSC Group Membership benefits include:

■ Advance information and exclusive Priority Booking – up to two weeks before public booking opens

■ £7 off Superseats and top price seats Monday – Friday (non-Members £5 off) plus 1 half price ticket for group organiser*

■ 10% discount at RSC Cafes and Bars, Rooftop Restaurant (excluding fixed price pre-theatre menu)*

■ Dedicated hotline to the RSC Box Office

■ £1 ticket for the Tower* (non-Members £2.50)

■ Regular Members’ Newsletters with all the latest RSC news including new productions, casting updates and special offers.

■ No ticket exchange or resale fees (£2 for non Members)*

■ Regular Members’ email updates

■ Dedicated online Member’s Room including access to special offers

■ Enhanced group deferred payment option

■ 10% discount on hotels booked through RSC Short Breaks (excluding hotels in Stratford-upon-Avon)

RSCGroupMembershipThe RSC’s recommended hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon is

The Arden Hotel. Situated directly opposite the Swan Theatre, it is an elegant and sophisticated 45-bedroom boutique-style hotel boasting a champagne bar and spacious suites with views over the River Avon.

For further information or to make a reservation visit www.theardenhotelstratford.com or call 01789 298682.

For an alternative range of hotels in the Stratford-upon-Avon region, please visit www.rscshortbreaks.co.uk or call 0871 700 4386.

Accommodation

Become a Group Member today by completing the form overleaf, online at www.rsc.org.uk/membership or by calling our Membership Department on 01789 403440.

*Terms and conditions apply, Group Membership is only available to UK residents.

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HOW TO JOIN

Your details

Please complete the Membership Application Form below and post to Membership Office, Royal Shakespeare Company, FREEPOST CV1869, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6BR, join online at www.rsc.org.uk/membership or call the Membership Office on 01789 403440 (Mon - Fri, 10am - 6pm).

I would like to buy annual UK RSC Group Membership for £18

I wish to pay byCredit or Debit Card – please complete your card details. Cheque – please enclose a cheque made payable to RSC for the full amount. Direct Debit – Tick the box if you would like to be contacted regarding joining by Direct Debit, or call the Membership office directly on 01789 403440.

My card details areVisa Credit Visa Debit MasterCard Maestro Card Number Valid From Expiry Date Maestro Issue Number

Contact PreferencesAs a Member we will send you regular information by post about the RSC.

In addition you can opt to receive regular email communication from the RSC, including exclusive information for Members.

Please indicate your preference for further contact below:

I would like to receive email contact from the RSC Yes No

Telephone contact from the RSC Yes No

Title __________ Full Name __________________________________________

Name of Group ______________________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________________

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RSC use only

By Car Stratford-upon-Avon is a short drive from Junction 15 of the M40, giving good access to the M42, M5, M6 and M25. The postcode for the Royal Shakespeare Theatre is CV37 6BB.ParkingThere are many fee charging parking options available, the closest to the theatre is Bridgefoot car park, postcode CV37 6YY.By Coach Coaches can park in the pay and display Riverside Coach and Lorry Park to the rear of the Stratford Visitor and Leisure Centre, this is a five minute walk to the theatre. The postcode for this car park is CV37 6YY, please see map on back page for location. By Bus Bus services are available to Stratford-upon-Avon from Birmingham and Oxford areas. By Train Stratford-upon-Avon railway station has services north to Birmingham and south to London Marylebone (via Warwick, Leamington Spa, Banbury and Bicester North). The theatre is approximately a 15 minute walk from the train station.By Air Stratford-upon-Avon is approximately 30 miles from Birmingham Airport and 60 miles from East Midlands Airport.

Howtofindus

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RSC images by Ellie Kurttz, Stewart Hemley, Peter Cook, Gina Print, Lucy Barriball, Owen Price and Holly Clarke. Stan’s Cafe image by Ed Dinsdale. Printed in February 2012, all information correct at time of going to print.

OpeningtimesThe Royal Shakespeare and Swan Theatres are open daily from 10am (9.30am on Saturdays).

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