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New shows for 2026 💫

🌳 As You Like It, with Jonathan Groff
🩸 Julius Caesar, with Harriet Walter
🏠 Middlemarch Parts 1 and 2
⚔️ The Three Musketeers

From sweet-natured romance to anarchic adventures, these classic stories and universal struggles come to our stages this autumn, brought to life by some of the most exciting artists today

Public Booking opens 18 March 🎟️ For Priority Booking, become a Member now – link in bio

#RoyalShakespeareCompany #Shakespeare #WilliamShakespeare #StratfordUponAvon

We are incredibly sad to hear that RSC Honorary Associate Artist Michael Pennington passed away at the age of 82 yesterday.

A Shakespearean to his very bones, Michael’s long and distinguished career with the RSC spanned an astonishing fifty years, having first joined the company after graduating from Cambridge University in John Barton’s epic 1964/5 ‘Wars of The Roses’ cycle.

Perhaps best known for his unforgettable turn as Hamlet in 1980 and, over 20 years later, his stirring performance in the title role of Timon of Athens in 2003, Michael’s final appearance with the company came in 2012, playing John of Gaunt alongside David Tennant in Gregory Doran’s critically-celebrated staging of Richard II; a full circle moment and a fitting end to a truly historic career.

Our thoughts go out to all those who knew and loved him.

📸 Michael Pennington as Hamlet, 1980. Photo by Reg Wilson © RSC
📸 Ian McKellen as Romeo and Michael Pennington as Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, 1976. Photo by Reg Wilson © RSC
📸 Michael Pennington as Timon in Timon of Athens, 1999. Photo by Donald Cooper © RSC
📸 Sean Chapman as Earl of Northumberland, Michael Pennington as John of Gaunt, and Oliver Ford Davies as Duke of York in Richard II, 2013. Photo by Kwame Lestrade © RSC

#RoyalShakespeareCompany

We are incredibly sad to hear that RSC Honorary Associate Artist Michael Pennington passed away at the age of 82 yesterday.

A Shakespearean to his very bones, Michael’s long and distinguished career with the RSC spanned an astonishing fifty years, having first joined the company after graduating from Cambridge University in John Barton’s epic 1964/5 ‘Wars of The Roses’ cycle.

Perhaps best known for his unforgettable turn as Hamlet in 1980 and, over 20 years later, his stirring performance in the title role of Timon of Athens in 2003, Michael’s final appearance with the company came in 2012, playing John of Gaunt alongside David Tennant in Gregory Doran’s critically-celebrated staging of Richard II; a full circle moment and a fitting end to a truly historic career.

Our thoughts go out to all those who knew and loved him.

📸 Michael Pennington as Hamlet, 1980. Photo by Reg Wilson © RSC
📸 Ian McKellen as Romeo and Michael Pennington as Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, 1976. Photo by Reg Wilson © RSC
📸 Michael Pennington as Timon in Timon of Athens, 1999. Photo by Donald Cooper © RSC
📸 Sean Chapman as Earl of Northumberland, Michael Pennington as John of Gaunt, and Oliver Ford Davies as Duke of York in Richard II, 2013. Photo by Kwame Lestrade © RSC

#RoyalShakespeareCompany

We are incredibly sad to hear that RSC Honorary Associate Artist Michael Pennington passed away at the age of 82 yesterday.

A Shakespearean to his very bones, Michael’s long and distinguished career with the RSC spanned an astonishing fifty years, having first joined the company after graduating from Cambridge University in John Barton’s epic 1964/5 ‘Wars of The Roses’ cycle.

Perhaps best known for his unforgettable turn as Hamlet in 1980 and, over 20 years later, his stirring performance in the title role of Timon of Athens in 2003, Michael’s final appearance with the company came in 2012, playing John of Gaunt alongside David Tennant in Gregory Doran’s critically-celebrated staging of Richard II; a full circle moment and a fitting end to a truly historic career.

Our thoughts go out to all those who knew and loved him.

📸 Michael Pennington as Hamlet, 1980. Photo by Reg Wilson © RSC
📸 Ian McKellen as Romeo and Michael Pennington as Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, 1976. Photo by Reg Wilson © RSC
📸 Michael Pennington as Timon in Timon of Athens, 1999. Photo by Donald Cooper © RSC
📸 Sean Chapman as Earl of Northumberland, Michael Pennington as John of Gaunt, and Oliver Ford Davies as Duke of York in Richard II, 2013. Photo by Kwame Lestrade © RSC

#RoyalShakespeareCompany

We are incredibly sad to hear that RSC Honorary Associate Artist Michael Pennington passed away at the age of 82 yesterday.

A Shakespearean to his very bones, Michael’s long and distinguished career with the RSC spanned an astonishing fifty years, having first joined the company after graduating from Cambridge University in John Barton’s epic 1964/5 ‘Wars of The Roses’ cycle.

Perhaps best known for his unforgettable turn as Hamlet in 1980 and, over 20 years later, his stirring performance in the title role of Timon of Athens in 2003, Michael’s final appearance with the company came in 2012, playing John of Gaunt alongside David Tennant in Gregory Doran’s critically-celebrated staging of Richard II; a full circle moment and a fitting end to a truly historic career.

Our thoughts go out to all those who knew and loved him.

📸 Michael Pennington as Hamlet, 1980. Photo by Reg Wilson © RSC
📸 Ian McKellen as Romeo and Michael Pennington as Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, 1976. Photo by Reg Wilson © RSC
📸 Michael Pennington as Timon in Timon of Athens, 1999. Photo by Donald Cooper © RSC
📸 Sean Chapman as Earl of Northumberland, Michael Pennington as John of Gaunt, and Oliver Ford Davies as Duke of York in Richard II, 2013. Photo by Kwame Lestrade © RSC

#RoyalShakespeareCompany

Happy 40th anniversary to the Swan Theatre 🎉

The Two Noble Kinsmen and The Rover launched the Swan theatre’s first season in 1986, along with The Fair Maid of the West and Every Man in His Humour. The season included performances by Simon Russell Beale, Jeremy Irons, Hugh Quarshie, Imelda Staunton, Nathanial Parker, David Troughton, Joseph Mydell and Sinead Cusack.

Since then, this intimate performance space has provided the backdrop for many notable productions of work by Shakespeare and his contemporaries, as well as new work by today’s writers.

As the Swan celebrates 40 years, we’re looking back at some of its most memorable moments.

📸 Pete Postlethwaite as Roughman, Sean Bean as Spencer and Imelda Staunton as Bess Bridges in The Fair Maid of the West, by Thomas Heywood, 1986. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
📸 Hugh Quarshie as Arcite and Gerard Murphy as Palamon in The Two Noble Kinsmen, by William Shakespeare and John Fletcher, 1986. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
📸 Ralph Fiennes as Troilus in Troilus and Cressida, by William Shakespeare, 1990. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
📸 Harriet Walter as Lady Macbeth and Antony Sher as Macbeth in Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, 1999. Photo by Jonathan Dockar-Drysdale © RSC.
📸 Judi Dench as Countess of Rossillion in All’s Well That Ends Well, by William Shakespeare, 2003. Photo by Manuel Harlan © RSC.
📸 The company of The Rover, by Aphra Behn, 2016. Photo by Ellie Kurttz © RSC.
📸 The company of The Duchess of Malfi, by John Webster, 2018. Photo by Helen Maybanks © RSC.
📸 Togo Igawa as Ohki and Andrea Gatchalian as Kiribati in Kyoto, by Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson, 2024. Photo by Manuel Harlan © RSC.
📸 Rose Leslie as Constance Middleton in The Constant Wife, by Laura Wade, based on the play by W Somerset Maugham, 2025. Design by Anna Fleischle and Cat Fuller, and Lighting by Ryan Day. Photo by Johan Persson.

#RoyalShakespeareCompany

Happy 40th anniversary to the Swan Theatre 🎉

The Two Noble Kinsmen and The Rover launched the Swan theatre’s first season in 1986, along with The Fair Maid of the West and Every Man in His Humour. The season included performances by Simon Russell Beale, Jeremy Irons, Hugh Quarshie, Imelda Staunton, Nathanial Parker, David Troughton, Joseph Mydell and Sinead Cusack.

Since then, this intimate performance space has provided the backdrop for many notable productions of work by Shakespeare and his contemporaries, as well as new work by today’s writers.

As the Swan celebrates 40 years, we’re looking back at some of its most memorable moments.

📸 Pete Postlethwaite as Roughman, Sean Bean as Spencer and Imelda Staunton as Bess Bridges in The Fair Maid of the West, by Thomas Heywood, 1986. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
📸 Hugh Quarshie as Arcite and Gerard Murphy as Palamon in The Two Noble Kinsmen, by William Shakespeare and John Fletcher, 1986. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
📸 Ralph Fiennes as Troilus in Troilus and Cressida, by William Shakespeare, 1990. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
📸 Harriet Walter as Lady Macbeth and Antony Sher as Macbeth in Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, 1999. Photo by Jonathan Dockar-Drysdale © RSC.
📸 Judi Dench as Countess of Rossillion in All’s Well That Ends Well, by William Shakespeare, 2003. Photo by Manuel Harlan © RSC.
📸 The company of The Rover, by Aphra Behn, 2016. Photo by Ellie Kurttz © RSC.
📸 The company of The Duchess of Malfi, by John Webster, 2018. Photo by Helen Maybanks © RSC.
📸 Togo Igawa as Ohki and Andrea Gatchalian as Kiribati in Kyoto, by Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson, 2024. Photo by Manuel Harlan © RSC.
📸 Rose Leslie as Constance Middleton in The Constant Wife, by Laura Wade, based on the play by W Somerset Maugham, 2025. Design by Anna Fleischle and Cat Fuller, and Lighting by Ryan Day. Photo by Johan Persson.

#RoyalShakespeareCompany

Happy 40th anniversary to the Swan Theatre 🎉

The Two Noble Kinsmen and The Rover launched the Swan theatre’s first season in 1986, along with The Fair Maid of the West and Every Man in His Humour. The season included performances by Simon Russell Beale, Jeremy Irons, Hugh Quarshie, Imelda Staunton, Nathanial Parker, David Troughton, Joseph Mydell and Sinead Cusack.

Since then, this intimate performance space has provided the backdrop for many notable productions of work by Shakespeare and his contemporaries, as well as new work by today’s writers.

As the Swan celebrates 40 years, we’re looking back at some of its most memorable moments.

📸 Pete Postlethwaite as Roughman, Sean Bean as Spencer and Imelda Staunton as Bess Bridges in The Fair Maid of the West, by Thomas Heywood, 1986. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
📸 Hugh Quarshie as Arcite and Gerard Murphy as Palamon in The Two Noble Kinsmen, by William Shakespeare and John Fletcher, 1986. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
📸 Ralph Fiennes as Troilus in Troilus and Cressida, by William Shakespeare, 1990. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
📸 Harriet Walter as Lady Macbeth and Antony Sher as Macbeth in Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, 1999. Photo by Jonathan Dockar-Drysdale © RSC.
📸 Judi Dench as Countess of Rossillion in All’s Well That Ends Well, by William Shakespeare, 2003. Photo by Manuel Harlan © RSC.
📸 The company of The Rover, by Aphra Behn, 2016. Photo by Ellie Kurttz © RSC.
📸 The company of The Duchess of Malfi, by John Webster, 2018. Photo by Helen Maybanks © RSC.
📸 Togo Igawa as Ohki and Andrea Gatchalian as Kiribati in Kyoto, by Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson, 2024. Photo by Manuel Harlan © RSC.
📸 Rose Leslie as Constance Middleton in The Constant Wife, by Laura Wade, based on the play by W Somerset Maugham, 2025. Design by Anna Fleischle and Cat Fuller, and Lighting by Ryan Day. Photo by Johan Persson.

#RoyalShakespeareCompany

Happy 40th anniversary to the Swan Theatre 🎉

The Two Noble Kinsmen and The Rover launched the Swan theatre’s first season in 1986, along with The Fair Maid of the West and Every Man in His Humour. The season included performances by Simon Russell Beale, Jeremy Irons, Hugh Quarshie, Imelda Staunton, Nathanial Parker, David Troughton, Joseph Mydell and Sinead Cusack.

Since then, this intimate performance space has provided the backdrop for many notable productions of work by Shakespeare and his contemporaries, as well as new work by today’s writers.

As the Swan celebrates 40 years, we’re looking back at some of its most memorable moments.

📸 Pete Postlethwaite as Roughman, Sean Bean as Spencer and Imelda Staunton as Bess Bridges in The Fair Maid of the West, by Thomas Heywood, 1986. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
📸 Hugh Quarshie as Arcite and Gerard Murphy as Palamon in The Two Noble Kinsmen, by William Shakespeare and John Fletcher, 1986. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
📸 Ralph Fiennes as Troilus in Troilus and Cressida, by William Shakespeare, 1990. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
📸 Harriet Walter as Lady Macbeth and Antony Sher as Macbeth in Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, 1999. Photo by Jonathan Dockar-Drysdale © RSC.
📸 Judi Dench as Countess of Rossillion in All’s Well That Ends Well, by William Shakespeare, 2003. Photo by Manuel Harlan © RSC.
📸 The company of The Rover, by Aphra Behn, 2016. Photo by Ellie Kurttz © RSC.
📸 The company of The Duchess of Malfi, by John Webster, 2018. Photo by Helen Maybanks © RSC.
📸 Togo Igawa as Ohki and Andrea Gatchalian as Kiribati in Kyoto, by Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson, 2024. Photo by Manuel Harlan © RSC.
📸 Rose Leslie as Constance Middleton in The Constant Wife, by Laura Wade, based on the play by W Somerset Maugham, 2025. Design by Anna Fleischle and Cat Fuller, and Lighting by Ryan Day. Photo by Johan Persson.

#RoyalShakespeareCompany

Happy 40th anniversary to the Swan Theatre 🎉

The Two Noble Kinsmen and The Rover launched the Swan theatre’s first season in 1986, along with The Fair Maid of the West and Every Man in His Humour. The season included performances by Simon Russell Beale, Jeremy Irons, Hugh Quarshie, Imelda Staunton, Nathanial Parker, David Troughton, Joseph Mydell and Sinead Cusack.

Since then, this intimate performance space has provided the backdrop for many notable productions of work by Shakespeare and his contemporaries, as well as new work by today’s writers.

As the Swan celebrates 40 years, we’re looking back at some of its most memorable moments.

📸 Pete Postlethwaite as Roughman, Sean Bean as Spencer and Imelda Staunton as Bess Bridges in The Fair Maid of the West, by Thomas Heywood, 1986. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
📸 Hugh Quarshie as Arcite and Gerard Murphy as Palamon in The Two Noble Kinsmen, by William Shakespeare and John Fletcher, 1986. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
📸 Ralph Fiennes as Troilus in Troilus and Cressida, by William Shakespeare, 1990. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
📸 Harriet Walter as Lady Macbeth and Antony Sher as Macbeth in Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, 1999. Photo by Jonathan Dockar-Drysdale © RSC.
📸 Judi Dench as Countess of Rossillion in All’s Well That Ends Well, by William Shakespeare, 2003. Photo by Manuel Harlan © RSC.
📸 The company of The Rover, by Aphra Behn, 2016. Photo by Ellie Kurttz © RSC.
📸 The company of The Duchess of Malfi, by John Webster, 2018. Photo by Helen Maybanks © RSC.
📸 Togo Igawa as Ohki and Andrea Gatchalian as Kiribati in Kyoto, by Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson, 2024. Photo by Manuel Harlan © RSC.
📸 Rose Leslie as Constance Middleton in The Constant Wife, by Laura Wade, based on the play by W Somerset Maugham, 2025. Design by Anna Fleischle and Cat Fuller, and Lighting by Ryan Day. Photo by Johan Persson.

#RoyalShakespeareCompany

Happy 40th anniversary to the Swan Theatre 🎉

The Two Noble Kinsmen and The Rover launched the Swan theatre’s first season in 1986, along with The Fair Maid of the West and Every Man in His Humour. The season included performances by Simon Russell Beale, Jeremy Irons, Hugh Quarshie, Imelda Staunton, Nathanial Parker, David Troughton, Joseph Mydell and Sinead Cusack.

Since then, this intimate performance space has provided the backdrop for many notable productions of work by Shakespeare and his contemporaries, as well as new work by today’s writers.

As the Swan celebrates 40 years, we’re looking back at some of its most memorable moments.

📸 Pete Postlethwaite as Roughman, Sean Bean as Spencer and Imelda Staunton as Bess Bridges in The Fair Maid of the West, by Thomas Heywood, 1986. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
📸 Hugh Quarshie as Arcite and Gerard Murphy as Palamon in The Two Noble Kinsmen, by William Shakespeare and John Fletcher, 1986. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
📸 Ralph Fiennes as Troilus in Troilus and Cressida, by William Shakespeare, 1990. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
📸 Harriet Walter as Lady Macbeth and Antony Sher as Macbeth in Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, 1999. Photo by Jonathan Dockar-Drysdale © RSC.
📸 Judi Dench as Countess of Rossillion in All’s Well That Ends Well, by William Shakespeare, 2003. Photo by Manuel Harlan © RSC.
📸 The company of The Rover, by Aphra Behn, 2016. Photo by Ellie Kurttz © RSC.
📸 The company of The Duchess of Malfi, by John Webster, 2018. Photo by Helen Maybanks © RSC.
📸 Togo Igawa as Ohki and Andrea Gatchalian as Kiribati in Kyoto, by Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson, 2024. Photo by Manuel Harlan © RSC.
📸 Rose Leslie as Constance Middleton in The Constant Wife, by Laura Wade, based on the play by W Somerset Maugham, 2025. Design by Anna Fleischle and Cat Fuller, and Lighting by Ryan Day. Photo by Johan Persson.

#RoyalShakespeareCompany

Happy 40th anniversary to the Swan Theatre 🎉

The Two Noble Kinsmen and The Rover launched the Swan theatre’s first season in 1986, along with The Fair Maid of the West and Every Man in His Humour. The season included performances by Simon Russell Beale, Jeremy Irons, Hugh Quarshie, Imelda Staunton, Nathanial Parker, David Troughton, Joseph Mydell and Sinead Cusack.

Since then, this intimate performance space has provided the backdrop for many notable productions of work by Shakespeare and his contemporaries, as well as new work by today’s writers.

As the Swan celebrates 40 years, we’re looking back at some of its most memorable moments.

📸 Pete Postlethwaite as Roughman, Sean Bean as Spencer and Imelda Staunton as Bess Bridges in The Fair Maid of the West, by Thomas Heywood, 1986. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
📸 Hugh Quarshie as Arcite and Gerard Murphy as Palamon in The Two Noble Kinsmen, by William Shakespeare and John Fletcher, 1986. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
📸 Ralph Fiennes as Troilus in Troilus and Cressida, by William Shakespeare, 1990. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
📸 Harriet Walter as Lady Macbeth and Antony Sher as Macbeth in Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, 1999. Photo by Jonathan Dockar-Drysdale © RSC.
📸 Judi Dench as Countess of Rossillion in All’s Well That Ends Well, by William Shakespeare, 2003. Photo by Manuel Harlan © RSC.
📸 The company of The Rover, by Aphra Behn, 2016. Photo by Ellie Kurttz © RSC.
📸 The company of The Duchess of Malfi, by John Webster, 2018. Photo by Helen Maybanks © RSC.
📸 Togo Igawa as Ohki and Andrea Gatchalian as Kiribati in Kyoto, by Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson, 2024. Photo by Manuel Harlan © RSC.
📸 Rose Leslie as Constance Middleton in The Constant Wife, by Laura Wade, based on the play by W Somerset Maugham, 2025. Design by Anna Fleischle and Cat Fuller, and Lighting by Ryan Day. Photo by Johan Persson.

#RoyalShakespeareCompany

Happy 40th anniversary to the Swan Theatre 🎉

The Two Noble Kinsmen and The Rover launched the Swan theatre’s first season in 1986, along with The Fair Maid of the West and Every Man in His Humour. The season included performances by Simon Russell Beale, Jeremy Irons, Hugh Quarshie, Imelda Staunton, Nathanial Parker, David Troughton, Joseph Mydell and Sinead Cusack.

Since then, this intimate performance space has provided the backdrop for many notable productions of work by Shakespeare and his contemporaries, as well as new work by today’s writers.

As the Swan celebrates 40 years, we’re looking back at some of its most memorable moments.

📸 Pete Postlethwaite as Roughman, Sean Bean as Spencer and Imelda Staunton as Bess Bridges in The Fair Maid of the West, by Thomas Heywood, 1986. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
📸 Hugh Quarshie as Arcite and Gerard Murphy as Palamon in The Two Noble Kinsmen, by William Shakespeare and John Fletcher, 1986. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
📸 Ralph Fiennes as Troilus in Troilus and Cressida, by William Shakespeare, 1990. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
📸 Harriet Walter as Lady Macbeth and Antony Sher as Macbeth in Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, 1999. Photo by Jonathan Dockar-Drysdale © RSC.
📸 Judi Dench as Countess of Rossillion in All’s Well That Ends Well, by William Shakespeare, 2003. Photo by Manuel Harlan © RSC.
📸 The company of The Rover, by Aphra Behn, 2016. Photo by Ellie Kurttz © RSC.
📸 The company of The Duchess of Malfi, by John Webster, 2018. Photo by Helen Maybanks © RSC.
📸 Togo Igawa as Ohki and Andrea Gatchalian as Kiribati in Kyoto, by Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson, 2024. Photo by Manuel Harlan © RSC.
📸 Rose Leslie as Constance Middleton in The Constant Wife, by Laura Wade, based on the play by W Somerset Maugham, 2025. Design by Anna Fleischle and Cat Fuller, and Lighting by Ryan Day. Photo by Johan Persson.

#RoyalShakespeareCompany

Happy 40th anniversary to the Swan Theatre 🎉

The Two Noble Kinsmen and The Rover launched the Swan theatre’s first season in 1986, along with The Fair Maid of the West and Every Man in His Humour. The season included performances by Simon Russell Beale, Jeremy Irons, Hugh Quarshie, Imelda Staunton, Nathanial Parker, David Troughton, Joseph Mydell and Sinead Cusack.

Since then, this intimate performance space has provided the backdrop for many notable productions of work by Shakespeare and his contemporaries, as well as new work by today’s writers.

As the Swan celebrates 40 years, we’re looking back at some of its most memorable moments.

📸 Pete Postlethwaite as Roughman, Sean Bean as Spencer and Imelda Staunton as Bess Bridges in The Fair Maid of the West, by Thomas Heywood, 1986. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
📸 Hugh Quarshie as Arcite and Gerard Murphy as Palamon in The Two Noble Kinsmen, by William Shakespeare and John Fletcher, 1986. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
📸 Ralph Fiennes as Troilus in Troilus and Cressida, by William Shakespeare, 1990. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
📸 Harriet Walter as Lady Macbeth and Antony Sher as Macbeth in Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, 1999. Photo by Jonathan Dockar-Drysdale © RSC.
📸 Judi Dench as Countess of Rossillion in All’s Well That Ends Well, by William Shakespeare, 2003. Photo by Manuel Harlan © RSC.
📸 The company of The Rover, by Aphra Behn, 2016. Photo by Ellie Kurttz © RSC.
📸 The company of The Duchess of Malfi, by John Webster, 2018. Photo by Helen Maybanks © RSC.
📸 Togo Igawa as Ohki and Andrea Gatchalian as Kiribati in Kyoto, by Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson, 2024. Photo by Manuel Harlan © RSC.
📸 Rose Leslie as Constance Middleton in The Constant Wife, by Laura Wade, based on the play by W Somerset Maugham, 2025. Design by Anna Fleischle and Cat Fuller, and Lighting by Ryan Day. Photo by Johan Persson.

#RoyalShakespeareCompany

Happy 40th anniversary to the Swan Theatre 🎉

The Two Noble Kinsmen and The Rover launched the Swan theatre’s first season in 1986, along with The Fair Maid of the West and Every Man in His Humour. The season included performances by Simon Russell Beale, Jeremy Irons, Hugh Quarshie, Imelda Staunton, Nathanial Parker, David Troughton, Joseph Mydell and Sinead Cusack.

Since then, this intimate performance space has provided the backdrop for many notable productions of work by Shakespeare and his contemporaries, as well as new work by today’s writers.

As the Swan celebrates 40 years, we’re looking back at some of its most memorable moments.

📸 Pete Postlethwaite as Roughman, Sean Bean as Spencer and Imelda Staunton as Bess Bridges in The Fair Maid of the West, by Thomas Heywood, 1986. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
📸 Hugh Quarshie as Arcite and Gerard Murphy as Palamon in The Two Noble Kinsmen, by William Shakespeare and John Fletcher, 1986. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
📸 Ralph Fiennes as Troilus in Troilus and Cressida, by William Shakespeare, 1990. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
📸 Harriet Walter as Lady Macbeth and Antony Sher as Macbeth in Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, 1999. Photo by Jonathan Dockar-Drysdale © RSC.
📸 Judi Dench as Countess of Rossillion in All’s Well That Ends Well, by William Shakespeare, 2003. Photo by Manuel Harlan © RSC.
📸 The company of The Rover, by Aphra Behn, 2016. Photo by Ellie Kurttz © RSC.
📸 The company of The Duchess of Malfi, by John Webster, 2018. Photo by Helen Maybanks © RSC.
📸 Togo Igawa as Ohki and Andrea Gatchalian as Kiribati in Kyoto, by Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson, 2024. Photo by Manuel Harlan © RSC.
📸 Rose Leslie as Constance Middleton in The Constant Wife, by Laura Wade, based on the play by W Somerset Maugham, 2025. Design by Anna Fleischle and Cat Fuller, and Lighting by Ryan Day. Photo by Johan Persson.

#RoyalShakespeareCompany

Adjoa Andoh shares her favourite line in Shakespeare 💬❤️

‘But whate’er I be, nor I nor any man that but man is with nothing shall be pleased till he be eased with being nothing.’ – Richard II

As one of our Shakespeare Curriculum Ambassadors, @adjoa.andoh is helping us inspire new generations of students. With on‑demand productions and interactive playtexts, the Shakespeare Curriculum brings the stories, characters and language to life so students don’t just study Shakespeare, they experience it.

📚 Discover our new learning platform via the link in our bio

#RoyalShakespeareCompany #WilliamShakespeare

‘People are going to fall in love’ ❤️

Driftwood’s @martinsimhangbe, @ellenthomasuk and @catherinejoywhite share some gems about their characters – Diamond, Pearl, Ruby 💎

‘A vivid journey to jazzy Trinidad’ (The Times), Driftwood by @martina_ml_laird and directed by Justin Audibert is now playing in The Other Place until 30 May, before transferring to London’s @kilntheatre from 3 June

#RoyalShakespeareCompany #StratfordUponAvon

Sinister vegetables, absurd spectacle and Brecht’s razor-sharp satire 🥕🥦🌽

We sat down with @themarkgatiss to hear about his journey to playing the Arturo Ui – from seeing the play as a child to getting into character now

Our ★★★★★ (Guardian) production of The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui – by Bertolt Brecht, translated by @steshark and directed by @seanlinnen – is now playing in the Swan Theatre

#RoyalShakespeareCompany #StratfordUponAvon

'Lord, we know what we are, but know not what we may be.' 🦢

Two versions of this evening gown were made for Rebecca Saire’s Ophelia in our 1989 production of Hamlet. One costume was kept pristine, while the second dress was dirtied for Ophelia's final, tragic scenes.

🔍 You can see this costume in our free and newly curated The Play's The Thing exhibition, open daily from 12noon.

📸 Rebecca Saire as Ophelia in Hamlet, 1989. Directed by Ron Daniels, designed by Antony McDonald. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
📸 Dress worn by Rebecca Saire as Ophelia in Hamlet, 1989. Photo by Gina Print.
📸 Mark Rylance as Hamlet and Rebecca Saire as Ophelia in Hamlet, 1989. Directed by Ron Daniels, designed by Antony McDonald. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

#RoyalShakespeareCompany #WilliamShakespeare #StratfordUponAvon

'Lord, we know what we are, but know not what we may be.' 🦢

Two versions of this evening gown were made for Rebecca Saire’s Ophelia in our 1989 production of Hamlet. One costume was kept pristine, while the second dress was dirtied for Ophelia's final, tragic scenes.

🔍 You can see this costume in our free and newly curated The Play's The Thing exhibition, open daily from 12noon.

📸 Rebecca Saire as Ophelia in Hamlet, 1989. Directed by Ron Daniels, designed by Antony McDonald. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
📸 Dress worn by Rebecca Saire as Ophelia in Hamlet, 1989. Photo by Gina Print.
📸 Mark Rylance as Hamlet and Rebecca Saire as Ophelia in Hamlet, 1989. Directed by Ron Daniels, designed by Antony McDonald. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

#RoyalShakespeareCompany #WilliamShakespeare #StratfordUponAvon

'Lord, we know what we are, but know not what we may be.' 🦢

Two versions of this evening gown were made for Rebecca Saire’s Ophelia in our 1989 production of Hamlet. One costume was kept pristine, while the second dress was dirtied for Ophelia's final, tragic scenes.

🔍 You can see this costume in our free and newly curated The Play's The Thing exhibition, open daily from 12noon.

📸 Rebecca Saire as Ophelia in Hamlet, 1989. Directed by Ron Daniels, designed by Antony McDonald. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
📸 Dress worn by Rebecca Saire as Ophelia in Hamlet, 1989. Photo by Gina Print.
📸 Mark Rylance as Hamlet and Rebecca Saire as Ophelia in Hamlet, 1989. Directed by Ron Daniels, designed by Antony McDonald. Photo by Joe Cocks Studio Collection © Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

#RoyalShakespeareCompany #WilliamShakespeare #StratfordUponAvon

Welcome to Trinidad 🌴☀️

Driftwood, a new play by @martina_ml_lairdand directed by Justin Audibert, is now playing in The Other Place

🎟️ Don't miss it – Driftwood plays in Stratford-upon-Avon until 30 May, before transferring to London's @kilntheatre from 3 June

Cast:
@shanedavidjoseph, Ziggy Heath, @martinsimhangbe, Roger Ringrose, @ellenthomasuk and @catherinejoywhite

Creatives:
Director: Justin Audibert
Set and Costume Designer: Sadeysa Greenaway-Bailey
Lighting Designer: Simon Spencer
Composer: @christellalitras
Sound Designer: @audiocartelsound
Movement Director: @kloedean
Fight and Intimacy Director: @bethan_fights
Dramaturg: Sebastian Born
Casting Director: Matthew Dewsbury CDG
Voice and Dialect: @aundreafudge
Associate Set Designer: @delevans_
Associate Costume Designer: @zoethomaswebb
Assistant Director: @sapphirejoy_

📸 Martins Imhangbe as Diamond and Ellen Thomas as Pearl in Driftwood
📸 Cat White as Ruby in Driftwood
📸 Ziggy Heath as Tom in Driftwood
📸 Roger Ringrose as Mansion in Driftwood
📸 Shane David-Joseph as Seldom, Ellen Thomas as Pearl and Cat White as Ruby in Driftwood
📸 The company in Driftwood
📸 Martins Imhangbe as Diamond in Driftwood
📸 Ellen Thomas as Pearl in Driftwood
Photos by Marc Brenner

#RoyalShakespeareCompany #StratfordUponAvon

Welcome to Trinidad 🌴☀️

Driftwood, a new play by @martina_ml_lairdand directed by Justin Audibert, is now playing in The Other Place

🎟️ Don't miss it – Driftwood plays in Stratford-upon-Avon until 30 May, before transferring to London's @kilntheatre from 3 June

Cast:
@shanedavidjoseph, Ziggy Heath, @martinsimhangbe, Roger Ringrose, @ellenthomasuk and @catherinejoywhite

Creatives:
Director: Justin Audibert
Set and Costume Designer: Sadeysa Greenaway-Bailey
Lighting Designer: Simon Spencer
Composer: @christellalitras
Sound Designer: @audiocartelsound
Movement Director: @kloedean
Fight and Intimacy Director: @bethan_fights
Dramaturg: Sebastian Born
Casting Director: Matthew Dewsbury CDG
Voice and Dialect: @aundreafudge
Associate Set Designer: @delevans_
Associate Costume Designer: @zoethomaswebb
Assistant Director: @sapphirejoy_

📸 Martins Imhangbe as Diamond and Ellen Thomas as Pearl in Driftwood
📸 Cat White as Ruby in Driftwood
📸 Ziggy Heath as Tom in Driftwood
📸 Roger Ringrose as Mansion in Driftwood
📸 Shane David-Joseph as Seldom, Ellen Thomas as Pearl and Cat White as Ruby in Driftwood
📸 The company in Driftwood
📸 Martins Imhangbe as Diamond in Driftwood
📸 Ellen Thomas as Pearl in Driftwood
Photos by Marc Brenner

#RoyalShakespeareCompany #StratfordUponAvon

Welcome to Trinidad 🌴☀️

Driftwood, a new play by @martina_ml_lairdand directed by Justin Audibert, is now playing in The Other Place

🎟️ Don't miss it – Driftwood plays in Stratford-upon-Avon until 30 May, before transferring to London's @kilntheatre from 3 June

Cast:
@shanedavidjoseph, Ziggy Heath, @martinsimhangbe, Roger Ringrose, @ellenthomasuk and @catherinejoywhite

Creatives:
Director: Justin Audibert
Set and Costume Designer: Sadeysa Greenaway-Bailey
Lighting Designer: Simon Spencer
Composer: @christellalitras
Sound Designer: @audiocartelsound
Movement Director: @kloedean
Fight and Intimacy Director: @bethan_fights
Dramaturg: Sebastian Born
Casting Director: Matthew Dewsbury CDG
Voice and Dialect: @aundreafudge
Associate Set Designer: @delevans_
Associate Costume Designer: @zoethomaswebb
Assistant Director: @sapphirejoy_

📸 Martins Imhangbe as Diamond and Ellen Thomas as Pearl in Driftwood
📸 Cat White as Ruby in Driftwood
📸 Ziggy Heath as Tom in Driftwood
📸 Roger Ringrose as Mansion in Driftwood
📸 Shane David-Joseph as Seldom, Ellen Thomas as Pearl and Cat White as Ruby in Driftwood
📸 The company in Driftwood
📸 Martins Imhangbe as Diamond in Driftwood
📸 Ellen Thomas as Pearl in Driftwood
Photos by Marc Brenner

#RoyalShakespeareCompany #StratfordUponAvon

Welcome to Trinidad 🌴☀️

Driftwood, a new play by @martina_ml_lairdand directed by Justin Audibert, is now playing in The Other Place

🎟️ Don't miss it – Driftwood plays in Stratford-upon-Avon until 30 May, before transferring to London's @kilntheatre from 3 June

Cast:
@shanedavidjoseph, Ziggy Heath, @martinsimhangbe, Roger Ringrose, @ellenthomasuk and @catherinejoywhite

Creatives:
Director: Justin Audibert
Set and Costume Designer: Sadeysa Greenaway-Bailey
Lighting Designer: Simon Spencer
Composer: @christellalitras
Sound Designer: @audiocartelsound
Movement Director: @kloedean
Fight and Intimacy Director: @bethan_fights
Dramaturg: Sebastian Born
Casting Director: Matthew Dewsbury CDG
Voice and Dialect: @aundreafudge
Associate Set Designer: @delevans_
Associate Costume Designer: @zoethomaswebb
Assistant Director: @sapphirejoy_

📸 Martins Imhangbe as Diamond and Ellen Thomas as Pearl in Driftwood
📸 Cat White as Ruby in Driftwood
📸 Ziggy Heath as Tom in Driftwood
📸 Roger Ringrose as Mansion in Driftwood
📸 Shane David-Joseph as Seldom, Ellen Thomas as Pearl and Cat White as Ruby in Driftwood
📸 The company in Driftwood
📸 Martins Imhangbe as Diamond in Driftwood
📸 Ellen Thomas as Pearl in Driftwood
Photos by Marc Brenner

#RoyalShakespeareCompany #StratfordUponAvon

Welcome to Trinidad 🌴☀️

Driftwood, a new play by @martina_ml_lairdand directed by Justin Audibert, is now playing in The Other Place

🎟️ Don't miss it – Driftwood plays in Stratford-upon-Avon until 30 May, before transferring to London's @kilntheatre from 3 June

Cast:
@shanedavidjoseph, Ziggy Heath, @martinsimhangbe, Roger Ringrose, @ellenthomasuk and @catherinejoywhite

Creatives:
Director: Justin Audibert
Set and Costume Designer: Sadeysa Greenaway-Bailey
Lighting Designer: Simon Spencer
Composer: @christellalitras
Sound Designer: @audiocartelsound
Movement Director: @kloedean
Fight and Intimacy Director: @bethan_fights
Dramaturg: Sebastian Born
Casting Director: Matthew Dewsbury CDG
Voice and Dialect: @aundreafudge
Associate Set Designer: @delevans_
Associate Costume Designer: @zoethomaswebb
Assistant Director: @sapphirejoy_

📸 Martins Imhangbe as Diamond and Ellen Thomas as Pearl in Driftwood
📸 Cat White as Ruby in Driftwood
📸 Ziggy Heath as Tom in Driftwood
📸 Roger Ringrose as Mansion in Driftwood
📸 Shane David-Joseph as Seldom, Ellen Thomas as Pearl and Cat White as Ruby in Driftwood
📸 The company in Driftwood
📸 Martins Imhangbe as Diamond in Driftwood
📸 Ellen Thomas as Pearl in Driftwood
Photos by Marc Brenner

#RoyalShakespeareCompany #StratfordUponAvon

Welcome to Trinidad 🌴☀️

Driftwood, a new play by @martina_ml_lairdand directed by Justin Audibert, is now playing in The Other Place

🎟️ Don't miss it – Driftwood plays in Stratford-upon-Avon until 30 May, before transferring to London's @kilntheatre from 3 June

Cast:
@shanedavidjoseph, Ziggy Heath, @martinsimhangbe, Roger Ringrose, @ellenthomasuk and @catherinejoywhite

Creatives:
Director: Justin Audibert
Set and Costume Designer: Sadeysa Greenaway-Bailey
Lighting Designer: Simon Spencer
Composer: @christellalitras
Sound Designer: @audiocartelsound
Movement Director: @kloedean
Fight and Intimacy Director: @bethan_fights
Dramaturg: Sebastian Born
Casting Director: Matthew Dewsbury CDG
Voice and Dialect: @aundreafudge
Associate Set Designer: @delevans_
Associate Costume Designer: @zoethomaswebb
Assistant Director: @sapphirejoy_

📸 Martins Imhangbe as Diamond and Ellen Thomas as Pearl in Driftwood
📸 Cat White as Ruby in Driftwood
📸 Ziggy Heath as Tom in Driftwood
📸 Roger Ringrose as Mansion in Driftwood
📸 Shane David-Joseph as Seldom, Ellen Thomas as Pearl and Cat White as Ruby in Driftwood
📸 The company in Driftwood
📸 Martins Imhangbe as Diamond in Driftwood
📸 Ellen Thomas as Pearl in Driftwood
Photos by Marc Brenner

#RoyalShakespeareCompany #StratfordUponAvon

Welcome to Trinidad 🌴☀️

Driftwood, a new play by @martina_ml_lairdand directed by Justin Audibert, is now playing in The Other Place

🎟️ Don't miss it – Driftwood plays in Stratford-upon-Avon until 30 May, before transferring to London's @kilntheatre from 3 June

Cast:
@shanedavidjoseph, Ziggy Heath, @martinsimhangbe, Roger Ringrose, @ellenthomasuk and @catherinejoywhite

Creatives:
Director: Justin Audibert
Set and Costume Designer: Sadeysa Greenaway-Bailey
Lighting Designer: Simon Spencer
Composer: @christellalitras
Sound Designer: @audiocartelsound
Movement Director: @kloedean
Fight and Intimacy Director: @bethan_fights
Dramaturg: Sebastian Born
Casting Director: Matthew Dewsbury CDG
Voice and Dialect: @aundreafudge
Associate Set Designer: @delevans_
Associate Costume Designer: @zoethomaswebb
Assistant Director: @sapphirejoy_

📸 Martins Imhangbe as Diamond and Ellen Thomas as Pearl in Driftwood
📸 Cat White as Ruby in Driftwood
📸 Ziggy Heath as Tom in Driftwood
📸 Roger Ringrose as Mansion in Driftwood
📸 Shane David-Joseph as Seldom, Ellen Thomas as Pearl and Cat White as Ruby in Driftwood
📸 The company in Driftwood
📸 Martins Imhangbe as Diamond in Driftwood
📸 Ellen Thomas as Pearl in Driftwood
Photos by Marc Brenner

#RoyalShakespeareCompany #StratfordUponAvon

Welcome to Trinidad 🌴☀️

Driftwood, a new play by @martina_ml_lairdand directed by Justin Audibert, is now playing in The Other Place

🎟️ Don't miss it – Driftwood plays in Stratford-upon-Avon until 30 May, before transferring to London's @kilntheatre from 3 June

Cast:
@shanedavidjoseph, Ziggy Heath, @martinsimhangbe, Roger Ringrose, @ellenthomasuk and @catherinejoywhite

Creatives:
Director: Justin Audibert
Set and Costume Designer: Sadeysa Greenaway-Bailey
Lighting Designer: Simon Spencer
Composer: @christellalitras
Sound Designer: @audiocartelsound
Movement Director: @kloedean
Fight and Intimacy Director: @bethan_fights
Dramaturg: Sebastian Born
Casting Director: Matthew Dewsbury CDG
Voice and Dialect: @aundreafudge
Associate Set Designer: @delevans_
Associate Costume Designer: @zoethomaswebb
Assistant Director: @sapphirejoy_

📸 Martins Imhangbe as Diamond and Ellen Thomas as Pearl in Driftwood
📸 Cat White as Ruby in Driftwood
📸 Ziggy Heath as Tom in Driftwood
📸 Roger Ringrose as Mansion in Driftwood
📸 Shane David-Joseph as Seldom, Ellen Thomas as Pearl and Cat White as Ruby in Driftwood
📸 The company in Driftwood
📸 Martins Imhangbe as Diamond in Driftwood
📸 Ellen Thomas as Pearl in Driftwood
Photos by Marc Brenner

#RoyalShakespeareCompany #StratfordUponAvon

Goodbye to the good ship Elsinore 🌊

Our national tour of Rupert Goold's Hamlet comes to a close tonight at @marlowetheatre in Canterbury — a massive well done to our touring company and thank you to all venues👏

@hall_for_cornwall @officialbradfordtheatres @norwichtheatre @royalnottingham @grandtheatrebpl @newcastletheatreroyal @yorktheatreroyal @marlowetheatre

#RoyalShakespeareCompany #WilliamShakespeare #StratfordUponAvon

Goodbye to the good ship Elsinore 🌊

Our national tour of Rupert Goold's Hamlet comes to a close tonight at @marlowetheatre in Canterbury — a massive well done to our touring company and thank you to all venues👏

@hall_for_cornwall @officialbradfordtheatres @norwichtheatre @royalnottingham @grandtheatrebpl @newcastletheatreroyal @yorktheatreroyal @marlowetheatre

#RoyalShakespeareCompany #WilliamShakespeare #StratfordUponAvon

Goodbye to the good ship Elsinore 🌊

Our national tour of Rupert Goold's Hamlet comes to a close tonight at @marlowetheatre in Canterbury — a massive well done to our touring company and thank you to all venues👏

@hall_for_cornwall @officialbradfordtheatres @norwichtheatre @royalnottingham @grandtheatrebpl @newcastletheatreroyal @yorktheatreroyal @marlowetheatre

#RoyalShakespeareCompany #WilliamShakespeare #StratfordUponAvon

'Farewell... Fight valiantly today' – Henry V

Our 'Inspired' (Financial Times) Henry V plays for a final time this evening in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre this evening 👑

🎨 Set and Costume Design by @lucyosborne_design

#RoyalShakespeareCompany #WilliamShakespeare #StratfordUponAvon

'Farewell... Fight valiantly today' – Henry V

Our 'Inspired' (Financial Times) Henry V plays for a final time this evening in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre this evening 👑

🎨 Set and Costume Design by @lucyosborne_design

#RoyalShakespeareCompany #WilliamShakespeare #StratfordUponAvon

‘Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more’ ⚔️

Our ‘Inspired’ (Financial Times) Henry V, directed by Co-Artistic Director Tamara Harvey, plays its final shows in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre this Saturday

🎥 Alfred Enoch as Henry V and the company of Henry V, 2026.

#RoyalShakespeareCompany #WilliamShakespeare #StratfordUponAvon

⛴️ Watch as this striking staging comes to life for our national tour of Hamlet

Taking 10 hours, 15 touring technicians and support from our partner venue’s teams to build, the set includes a 6-tonne LED screen and a boat deck raked at a gravity‑defying 1 in 8 🤯

After travelling to 8 different venues across the UK, our Hamlet tour comes to a close this weekend at @marlowetheatre

🚢 Set Designer: Es Devlin
🎥 Video Designer: @akhila_krishnan_design
💡 Lighting Designer: Jack Knowles
👗 Costume Designer: @evieonfire
🎥 Video provided by Video Technician: @andreacharlieav 
🎭 Filmed at @newcastletheatreroyal

#RoyalShakespeareCompany #WilliamShakespeare #Shakespeare