Seeing a Royal Shakespeare Company production is the experience that sets Stratford apart from every other heritage town. The company is based here and performs in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, the main house, and in the smaller Swan Theatre, with a programme that mixes the plays of Shakespeare with works by his contemporaries and new writing. The main house has a thrust stage that pushes the action into the audience, so even seats at the back feel close to the actors, and the Swan is an intimate galleried space modelled on an Elizabethan playhouse. A show lasts around two to three hours with an interval, and matinee and evening performances run most days of the week in season. For many visitors the play is the highlight of the trip, with the Birthplace and the gardens providing the background.
Plan the trip around the performance calendar rather than the other way round. Productions are announced in seasons, and popular titles and star casts sell out well ahead, so book as soon as you know your dates. If your trip is flexible, choose the play first and then build the hotel, tours and meals around it. A matinee leaves your evening free for dinner, while an evening show works well after a day at the houses and gardens. Check the running time, because some productions are long and a few have no interval.
Pick your seat with care. In the main theatre the stalls and the circle both offer a close view because of the stage's shape, and sightlines are good in most areas, though the cheapest places can be high up and steep. In the Swan the galleries wrap around the stage, giving a sense of being part of the action.
Concessions, group rates and limited-price seats are often available, so look at all price levels before you decide, and check access options if anyone in your party has mobility needs. Many people pair a play with a theatre tour or the free tower viewpoint during the day, and a pre-theatre meal nearby is easy to arrange if you book early.
Arrive in good time so you can collect your tickets, find your seat and enjoy the foyer, which has views over the river and a cafe and bar. Dress however you like, as there is no formal code. If you are new to Shakespeare, choose a well-known title and read a short synopsis beforehand, which makes the language easier to follow, and consider a family-friendly production if you are bringing children.
The theatres are a few minutes' walk from most central hotels, so you can stay for the interval drink and still be in bed in good time.
A few extra tips are worth knowing. If you cannot get the seat you want for a sold-out show, check again a week or two before the date, as returns often appear, and ask about standby or day seats, which some theatres release at lower prices. Audio-described, captioned and relaxed performances are scheduled for selected dates, so look for them if you need them.
Build in time for dinner, because restaurants near the theatres fill before curtain-up, and book a table when you book the tickets. Afterwards, the walk back along the river in the dark, with the theatre lit behind you, is part of the occasion.
What to expect
The experience
A live production by the Royal Shakespeare Company in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre or the Swan Theatre, with an interval and matinee and evening performances.
Best time
Book the performance first, then fit the days around it. Matinees suit families and early starters, evenings suit a full day of sightseeing.
How long
Two to three hours including the interval, depending on the production.
Tips
Book early for popular titles, check running times and any age guidance, arrive in good time and look at all price levels before choosing seats.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Theatre lovers, Shakespeare fans and anyone who wants to see his plays performed by the company that specialises in them.
- Families
- Some productions suit children well, so check the age guidance and choose a matinee for younger audiences.
- Couples
- An evening at the theatre, with a pre-show dinner and a walk by the river afterwards, is the classic Stratford date.
- Pair with
- A theatre tour or the free tower viewpoint during the day, and a pre-theatre meal nearby.
- Time needed
- Allow about three hours including arrival and the interval.
Good questions
How far ahead should I book an RSC play?+
Book as soon as you know your dates, especially for popular titles and weekends. Seats do sell out, though some returns and limited-price seats appear closer to the date.
Where are the performances?+
They take place in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, the main house, and in the smaller Swan Theatre, both on the riverside close to the town centre.
How long is a typical performance?+
Most last between two and three hours including an interval, though running times vary by production, so check before you book.
Is there a dress code?+
No, you can dress as you like. Many people wear smart casual clothes for an evening show and comfortable clothes for a matinee.
Can children go?+
Some productions are suitable for families, and others are not. Check the age guidance for each show and consider a matinee for younger children.
