Royal Shakespeare Theatre

Completed in 2010, the transformation of the Grade II* listed Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon redefined the home of Shakespearean performance for the 21st century. Won through international competition, the project introduced a new thrust-stage auditorium and reimagined the public and back-of-house spaces, while carefully retaining the character of the original art deco foyers.

The design restores the theatre’s relationship with the town and the River Avon through new public routes, landscaped spaces and the addition of a slender tower. Rising 33 metres, it offers panoramic views across Stratford and serves as a new landmark for the Royal Shakespeare Company.

A glazed colonnade now links the Royal Shakespeare and Swan Theatres for the first time, creating a continuous sequence of public foyers and performance spaces.

Externally, the tower and colonnade define a new public square that hosts outdoor performances and gatherings, extending the theatre’s civic presence beyond its walls. Within the wider campus, refurbished workshops and administration spaces provide improved facilities for the Company.

Blending restoration with renewal, the project celebrates the heritage of earlier theatres on the site while opening the building up to audiences and the town, making it as much a public place as a place of performance.