What's on in December

"Small cheer and great welcome makes a merry feast". Welcome one and all to the RSC this winter!

From our dark and delicious shows on stage, to our extremely delicious food offering, not to mention gifts and family activities, join us this December, and let the merriment commence!

Twelfth Night trailer still_ November 2024

OPENING SOON: Twelfth Night

With original music composed by singer songwriter Matt Maltese, Prasanna Puwanarajah returns to the RSC to direct Shakespeare's bittersweet winter masterpiece. Don't miss this freewheeling miracle of farce, longing, love and life, with a cast including Samuel West as Malvolio, Gwyneth Keyworth as Viola, Freema Agyeman as Olivia, and Bally Gill as Orsino.

Plus, you can hear directly from Prasanna Puwanarajah at 11 December's Director's Talk.

Twelfth Night plays from 5 December 2024 to 18 January 2025 at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre

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THE RED SHOES

Audiences have been loving our dark and delicious retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's The Red Shoes. With a script by Nancy Harris and directed by Kimberly Rampersad, lace up your most daring footwear and join us for an evening of stage magic, temptation and wish fulfillment.

Plus, make sure you check out our special family events on 15 December.

The Red Shoes plays until 19 January 2025 in the Swan Theatre

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A Midsummer Night_s Dream production photos_ 2024_ shoot 2_2024_Photo Pamela Raith _c_ RSC _367568

At the Barbican: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Our gorgeous and critically acclaimed production of A Midsummer Night's Dream starring Matthew Baynton as Bottom is coming to the Barbican, London this December. While it might be a little out of season, with hijinks, fairies, love triangles and magical mayham, it's the perfect show to get you in the festive spirit.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream plays from 3 December 2024 to 19 January 2025 at London’s Barbican

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'TIS THE SEASON

It's December, and we're already getting into the spirit of the season. From festive family activities to our brand new winter menus at the Rooftop Restaurant, we've got so much to help you make this the merriest time of the year:

CHRISTMAS FAMILY DAY

Join us on 15 December to explore the world of our dark and delicious winter show, The Red Shoes. Head behind the scenes at our special Family Unwrapped: The Red Shoes, or book onto one of our family workshops, one for ages 10+ and one for ages 7-9, where you'll have the chance to play, tell stories, and create your own versions of popular fairy tales in mix of acting and storytelling.

And if you're here to see the show, don't miss our free festive Shoemaker's Trail - you can pick up a leaflet from the racks around the theatre.

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Family Events_ February Half Term 2015_2015_Photo by Gina Print _c_ RSC_150802 (4)

RSC CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

Looking for a Shakespeare gift for someone special? Searching for the right present for the writer in your life? Or know a young bard in the making who'd love some beautifully illustrated books to add to their collection?

From sensational stationery, to quirky gifts as well as books and Shakespeare DVDs, our gift guide will give you loads of ideas to find the perfect present.

UNWRAP THE GIFT GUIDE

WEAR A PIECE OF RSC HISTORY

If you’re heading into the festive period with parties on the horizon and without clue what to wear, why not hire an outfit from the RSC Costume Store?

Not only is it an environmentally-friendly way to get yourself a brand new outfit for a special event, you can also take your pick from over 60,000 pieces of RSC stage history, and wear an outfit with a real story behind it.

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Costume Hire_Christmas Selections_3_2024_Photo by Sophie Jones_385329

FESTIVE FEASTING

Are you looking for a beautiful rooftop restaurant in Stratford-upon-Avon for a Christmas celebration, work party or family get together?

From our new Sunday Lunch and Daily Lunch menus, to our mouthwatering Evening and Pre-Theatre menus, our Rooftop Restaurant kitchen is bursting with delicious dishes to delight your party.

Plus, for an extra special occasion, why not sample our stunning Afternoon Tea, available daily 11.30am-3pm (2.15pm on Sundays) and add a glass of Prosecco, Laurent Perrier Brut or a seasonal cocktail.

DISCOVER THE MENUS

New winter menu images - Rooftop Restaurant - November 2024 - Stratford Upon Avon_2024_Photo by Sara Beaumont _c_ RSC_386143 (1)

COCKTAIL CLASSES

Fancy learning a new skill to impress, or searching for a perfect gift? Every Friday from 8pm at the Rooftop Restaurant and Cocktail Bar, learn the secrets of making great cocktails with our expert bartenders.

Learn how to make classic cocktails and create a custom cocktail based on your favourite flavours — all for just £25 per person. Plus, enjoy a selection of hot and cold snacks available to order during the 90-minute class.

Find out more

Cocktail Bar 2023_2023_Image by Sara Beaumont _c_ RSC_359070

COMING SOON...

Man and woman looking at ornate costumes on dummies

Outside of the RSC building in the dark, building lit up

2 artists painting giant backdrops in a workshop

BRAND NEW TOURS FOR 2025

Are you ready to find out more about the RSC?

Coming in January 2025, you can now discover even more about the secrets and stories about our theatre company, past and present, including three brand new tours:

Costume Tour - get exclusive access to our state-of-the-art Costume Workshop, where our teams create all the incredible pieces you see on our stage, plus our Costume Hire store, where you can see over 60,000 costume pieces from across our history. (60 mins)

Ghost Tour - dive into the spooky stories that have arisen during our theatres' 140+ year history, including ghostly exits and entrances, and the history of theatre superstition. (60 mins)

Scenic Workshop Tour - taking place at our Timothy's Bridge Road Workshop, discover how our skilled carpenters, engineers and artists build the sets and props that bring our productions to life. (75 mins)

In the meantime, you can still book one of our daily Theatre Tours, which will take you all throughout our theatres, from Front of House to backstage. The Theatre Tours will also continue in the new year.

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