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The Royal Shakespeare Theatre is a large national theatre owned by the Royal Shakespeare Company dedicated to the British Playwright and Poet William Shakespeare , and is located in his birthplace of Stratford-upon-Avon , in the English Midlands . The Theatre is located beside the River Avon . HISTORY The modern theatre was opened on April 23 , 1932 , rebuilt after a fire destroyed the original ''Shakespeare Memorial Theatre'' (opened April 19 1879 ) on March 6 1926 . The architect was Elisabeth Scott , so the theatre became ''the first important work erected in this country from the designs of a woman architect'' Pringle,p.29. It is now managed by the Royal Shakespeare Company and was renamed ''Royal Shakespeare Theatre'' in 1961 . STRUCTURE Current structure
The Swan Theatre and the RST (more commonly known as the Main House) share a back dock and it is possible to walk from one stage to another. The Theatre is on the western bank of the River Avon , and the bar/restaurant balcony overlooks the river. Redevelopment Plans to redevelop the Theatre were finalised and work commenced in 2007 , with a scheduled completion date of 2010. The architects for the scheme are Rab and Denise Bennetts of Bennetts Associates {Link without Title} . Performances have transferred to the temporary Courtyard Theatre which has been built attached to and temporarily replacing the nearby theatre The Other Place . The redevelopment plans have had a very controversial ride, and as long ago as 2002, HOOT (Hands Off Our Theatre) was working to oppose the scheme when it seemed that the theatre's exterior would be demolished. However, this part of the plans has since been altered. FACILITIES The theatre has a bar, restaurant (not wheelchair accessible), and a gift shop. Backstage tours are sometimes available. SEE ALSO Adjacent theatres:
LITERATURE
REFERENCES EXTERNAL LINKS
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