The Royal Court throws open its doors to the general public on 23 June to give interested theatregoers the chance to take a look at the internal workings of a modern theatre. Between 11:00 and 18:00 there will be talks, tours, workshops, exhibitions and performances taking place around the Sloane Square venue, most of which will be entirely free.
Among the Royal Court faces taking part in the Open House are Artistic Director Dominic Cooke, former Artistic Director Max Stafford-Clark, directors Maria Aberg and Sacha Wares, playwright Simon Stephens, and actors Lindsay Duncan and Richard Wilson.
The Royal Court has decided that this year's Open House Day will have a theme connecting activities together, and that theme will be 'firsts'. Throughout the day, iconic scenes from Royal Court playwrights' debut plays will be staged around the building, and Stephens and Stafford-Clark will lead a talk on their own firsts at the Court. Cooke, Wares and Aberg all lead workshops on directing, and there are also activities aimed at younger theatregoers designed to inspire the playwrights of the future.
The Open House also spills out of the theatre and into Sloane Square as Royal Court performances take to the street.
Although activities continue all day, many of the workshops and tours have limited availability and need to be booked in advance. There is also the chance, with some of the activities, to book reduced price tickets for performances of Alaska and The Pain And The Itch. For more information or to book call 020 7565 5000 or visit www.royalcourttheatre.com
MA