Shakespeare Memorial Theatre

The Shakespeare Memorial Theatre once stood beside the River Avon in Stratford-upon-Avon. Designed by William Frederick Unsworth, it opened in 1879 to mark the 300th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth. The building followed a pseudo-Gothic style popular in the 19th century. Inside, audiences gathered to watch plays by the playwright who had lived and died in the town. In 1926 a fire destroyed the theatre completely. After the blaze, the Royal Shakespeare Theatre rose on the same site and reopened in 1932. In 1986 a smaller Swan Theatre was added next door. Both venues became home to the Royal Shakespeare Company, which still performs works linked to the town’s most famous son. The company’s productions draw visitors from across the country and abroad. Today the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and the Swan Theatre stand side by side. Visitors can walk along the riverside path beside the Avon. Inside, the main auditorium seats over a thousand people. The Swan’s intimate stage offers a different experience. Both buildings reflect the continuing celebration of Shakespeare’s legacy in his birthplace.