Memorandum submitted by the Royal Shakespeare
Company
INTRODUCING THE RSC
1. The RSC puts on about 2000 performances
a year to audiences in excess of 1 million people in the UK 25
per cent of audience is under 25 years old. The Company does more
UK touring than any of the national companies—over 75 per
cent of UK population can access RSC productions in the course
of a year. Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare's birthplace, is a
magnet for audiences from all over the world with 3 million visitors
a year. 82 per cent of the RSC's subsidy is directly returned
to Government—with a £32 million contribution to West
Midlands economy. The RSC is committed to nurturing the next generation
of world-class classical artists. RSC alumni include Dame Judi
Dench, Ralph Fiennes, Kenneth Branagh, Joseph Fiennes and Emily
Watson.
A RENEWED RSC
2. The RSC should be an international theatre
company—defined by our performances, and not the buildings
we perform in.
— A new artistic model and restructured
organisation and governance make the RSC more agile, more flexible
and less institutional—led by ideas and performance and
partnerships
— Caravan approach to venues—theatre
designed to move around
The Company has a commitment to developing RSC
artists and audiences of the future.
— An international conservatoire for
theatre—the RSC Academy provides a new opportunity for the
next generation of classical artists and practitioners to work
with the best world-class talent
— Commitment to new writing and bold
commissions
— Stratford redeveloped as an international
magnet for theatre practitioners and audiences
— National responsibilities—North
East residency and UK touring
3. Partnerships across the world that enrich
our work:
— Higher profile presence in London
and key US locations
— Creative collaborations with businesses
and other educational and cultural organisations
— Truly global reach—cultural
ambassadors for the UK in Asia and Africa, as well as Europe and
the US
Building creative learning opportunities:
— Maximise the potential of new technologies
to explore new collaborations and partnerships for audiences of
the future
— A culture of learning extends beyond
performance-related programs through the new RSC Academy
A renewed Stratford-upon-Avon home:
— A world-class `theatre village' fit
for purpose that extends the value and potency of the site
CORE REDEVELOPMENT
OBJECTIVES
4. The core objectives of the RSC's redevelopment
proposals are:
— Three inspiring and adaptable theatre
spaces with appropriate support facilities and the widest accessibility
— Accommodating the RSC Academy
— Economic growth for RSC, West Midlands
and UK
— Maintaining continuity of performances.
THE NEED
FOR REDEVELOPMENT
The Royal Shakespeare Theatre
5. The RST has a number of deficiencies:
- a poorly designed theatre
- flawed sightlines and acoustics
- lack of appeal for actors
- segregation of Balcony audience
- physical and technical obsolescence
- inadequacy of working spaces
- compliance with licensing and legislation
- cannot support day-long use
- impact on image and accessibility.
Swan Theatre
6. The Swan Theatre suffers from some non-auditorium
problems:
- lack of backstage and technical space
- dual activities in front of house space.
The Other Place
7. The Other Place, as the RSC's third Stratford
venue is known, also has drawbacks:
KEY ISSUES
8. The key questions facing the RSC are:
— How can the RSC best meet the needs
of audiences, visitors, theatre practitioners and its host communities?
— How to reconcile future RSC needs
and Conservation priorities?
— What forms and scales of theatres
does the RSC require?
— Where should they be located?
— How to afford capital and revenue
cost?
— What opportunities to enhance the
public realm?
— How do we manage continuity during
transition?
REDEVELOPMENT OPTIONS
9. Building a new RST on another site has
been reconsidered. Fifteen alternative sites have been investigated
in Stratford. Two large buildings would be easier for transition,
but would be uneconomic in the longer term. There is no viable
alternative use for existing RST.
10. Adapting or substantially reconfiguring
the RST has been considered. The space cannot accommodate proscenium
and thrust stage formats. The site cannot accommodate the required
front of house and backstage space and access. Trimmed requirements
would produce a compromised solution. This has not proved to be
a cost-efficient option.
11. Replacing the existing RST seems to
be the only option. There is a need to satisfy a PPG 15 Assessment.
A new building has the potential to be able to:
— accommodate both thrust and proscenium
stages;
— provide appropriate operational and
public spaces; and
— be a more cost-effective investment
of funds.
REDEVELOPMENT GOALS
12. The goals of the RSC's current approach
to redevelopment are therefore:
— A modern Shakespearean playhouse
capable of adaptable formats the RST
— The creation of satisfactory backstage
facilities for the Swan Theatre within existing shell
— A highly adaptable third auditorium
at The Other Place
— A home for the RSC Academy at the
Union Club.
Transitional Arrangements
RST and Swan Theatre continue to mid 2004
[1,855 seats]
Swan Theatre + new auditorium at TOP mid 2004—late 2007
[1,082 seats]
Three theatres from 2008
[2,132 higher quality seats and day-long use]
PUBLIC AND
PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP
13. The key elements of the redevelopment
project going forward are:
— Arts Lottery project—£50
million
— Partnership Funding—£50
million
— Theatres Area Feasibility Study with
Stratford District Council/Advantage West Midlands/Warwickshire
County Council:
- Public Realm enhancements
— Waterfront Task Force : Stratford
District Council, Warwickshire County Council, Stratford Town
Council, Advantage West Midlands, British Waterways, Coventry
& Warwickshire Chamber, CBI West Midlands, The Stratford Society,
Town Centre Partnership, South Warwickshire Tourism, Disability
Access.
— Consultation: Statutory Conservation
Bodies, Planning Authority, Artists and Public.
RSC REDEVELOPMENT:
STEPS
14. The next steps in the redevelopment
programme are:
— Scheme development and detailed design
during 2002
— Continuing public consultation and
joint work with statutory bodies
8 January 2002
| 
