THERE will be mischief making as the RSC celebrates the 40th anniversary of The Other Place in Stratford next month.
Four play festival Midsummer Mischief has been inspired by the original ethos and spirit of The Other Place, currently The Courtyard Theatre, under the leadership of Buzz Goodbody.
The new plays – The Ant And The Cicada by Timberlake Wertenbaker and Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again by Alice Birch, both directed by Erica Whyman, and I Can Hear You by E. V. Crowe and This Is Not An Exit by Abi Zakarian, both directed by Jo McInnes – will be performed in repertoire in a purpose-built temporary studio on the current Courtyard Theatre stage from June 14 to July 12.
The Other Place began life as a tin shed in 1974 under the visionary leadership of its founding director Mary Ann ‘Buzz’ Goodbody.
Over the years the studio theatre developed a distinguished reputation as a place for invention, learning and experimentation, and a home for the RSC’s new work.
In 2004 the theatre closed to make room for The Courtyard Theatre, the temporary auditorium which was home to the RSC during the transformation of the Royal Shakespeare and Swan theatres.
With the opening of the new theatres in 2010, the 1,000 seat Courtyard Theatre is no longer required making room for the return of The Other Place on its original site.
Throughout the festival, there will be a free exhibition in the foyer of The Courtyard Theatre commemorating the 40th anniversary of the opening of The Other Place.
The installation will return audiences to the original spirit of The Other Place exploring Goodbody’s radical work, her theatre manifesto and the reasoning behind creating a theatre in a small tin shed in 1974.
There will also be a series of events running alongside the performances and exhibition including a Making Mischief day on Saturday June 28, including behind-the-scene glances at The Other Place at the Courtyard Theatre.
During the morning guest speakers join the festival creative teams for panel discussions and brunch. Post show talks will take place after each performance and in the evening people can join members of the RSC band and acting company for an evening of live music and dancing.
Visit www.rsc.org.uk for tickets and further details.
The Other Place – the original theatre stood on what is currently the site of the Courtyard Theatre. (s)
