CONSTRUCTION students have been given a rare opportunity to help with the restoration of the RSC’s historic Swan Theatre.
Over the coming weeks students from Stratford College will shadow specialists from the Shaylor Group who have been working on cleaning the brickwork, lead windows and roof lights as part of the restoration of the Swan Wing – part of a £4.8 million facelift.
Work on the Swan Wing project began in January to restore the façade and interior of the Grade II listed building – the oldest part of the theatre which incorporates the exterior and front of house areas of the Swan Theatre.
The Swan Wing is set to re-open next April in time for the 400th anniversary commemorations of Shakespeare’s death.
It will house the new ‘The Play’s The Thing’ exhibition celebrating Shakespeare on stage and revealing the secrets and stories from 100 years of theatre-making in Stratford.
College spokesman Alan McDermott said: “We are delighted that some of our students will be spending time on the Swan Wing site.
“They will work with qualified tradespersons to learn more about the daily activities that occur on a construction site, and we are confident this experience will inspire them to progress.”
The Shaylor Group heritage specialist, Richard Sapcote said they were pleased to have the students working on the project.
He added: “We are incredibly proud to support Stratford College by enabling students to gain valuable hands-on experience working on this iconic building and hopefully nurturing the next generation of skilled craftspeople.”
