The scaffolding is coming down and the theatre technicians are busy inside the new Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford Upon Avon. A year since our last visit to the building site things are beginning to take shape. Jane Markham goes behind the scenes and finds out why it will be another year before the actors will arrive!

The New Royal Shakespeare Theatre - a work in progress

The Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford Upon Avon is one of the world's best-known theatre ensembles. It  focuses on works by Shakespeare but also performs work by renaissance dramatists as well as contemporary writers. This podcast looks at  what makes Shakespeare's plays exciting to today's audiences as well as following  the transformation of the famous Royal Shakespeare Theatre over the next three years.

In November 2008 the giant roof beams were winched into position over what will be the new auditorium. The thrust stage is clearly visible and the  viewing tower, which will give visitors a fantastic view of Stratford Upon Avon and the surrounding countryside, starts its upward progress as the lift shaft begins to take shape. In this podcast  we are on site for a tour behind the scenes of the drama of the rebirth of what promises to be an iconic theatre of the future.

On site as the new Royal Shakespeare Theatre takes shape

The famous Royal Shakespeare Theatre, designed in the 1930s, has now closed its doors to the public while it undergoes a major transformation - and in this is an episode of memories of the RST in its heyday we'll get the view from the stalls! From those whose passion drove them to keep a caravan in Stratford for their regular visits from Devon to those who came by bus from Birmingham to queue for standing room only in the 1960's ! Today the audience speaks

Royal Shakespeare Company Podcast 4

The RSC's famous Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford Upon Avon  is being transformed over the next three years and while work is underway the company is performing up the road in a temporary theatre which is a working prototype for the new RST. Find out more from the RSC's artistic director, one of the the UK's top theatre designers and the architects.

Royal Shakespeare Company Podcast 3

Fay Weldon, one the the UK's best loved and most respected writers talks about taking liberties with Shakespeare's works!

The New Royal Shakespeare Theatre - a work in progress

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