8-2RSC

WHAT IS THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY? WHAT IS ITS HISTORY AND ITS MISSION?
//Prepared by Fady.// The Royale Shakespeare Company’s roots stretch as far back as the building of the first permanent theater in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. Charles Edward Flower launched a drive to design and construct a theater in Stanford, the hometown of William Shakespeare. After four years of construction the theater was completed. Unfortunately the building was destroyed by fire in 1926. Plays were performed in the local cinema until the new theater was finished. About six years after the first theater was destroyed, the new Shakespeare Memorial Theater was built.

In 1945, the Royal Shakespeare Company or RSC set out to gain critical acclaim. During the 1950's a few companies invited the Royale Shakespeare Company to come and perform there. The sixties were a good decade for the company. The theater was renamed, The Royal Shakespeare Theater. As its popularity grew, more and more actors rushed to join the company. In 1986, RSC opened a new theater called the Swan. It was built with the stage closer to the audiences’ seats, making it very comfortable for both actors and the crowd.

Currently the Royale Shakespeare Company has two performances in the making, __As you Like it__ and __Julius Caesar__, at The Courtyard, in Stratford-upon-Avon. __The Winter’s Tale__ is the only play currently being performed.

The RSC relies on the public’s support and generosity for the company to continue its performances in England. At every performance they aim to make the modern audiences of today create links with Shakespeare. The RSC holds different events like a family day or a look-behind-the- scenes-day. In the last ten years, the company has been able to perform 19,000 times in 170 productions, selling 11 million tickets to please the guidances all around the world. Works Cited "About the RSC." Royale Shakespeare Company. 14 Apr 2009 .

"A history." Royale Shakespeare Company. 8 Mar 2009.

"Our Mission." Royale Shakespeare Company. 8 Mar 2009 <__http://www.rsc.org.uk/supportthersc/7614.aspx>. __