Royal Court Theatre

The Royal Court Theatre is a non-commercial theatre in Sloane Square, in the Chelsea area of London noted for its contributions to modern theatre. Since 1956 it has been home to a resident company, the English Stage Company.

Related Topics:
Sloane Square - Chelsea - London - 1956

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The present building was constructed in 1888. It first attained prominence under the management of Harley Granville-Barker. Many of George Bernard Shaw's plays were initially produced at the Royal Court.

Related Topics:
1888 - Harley Granville-Barker - George Bernard Shaw

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After a brief period as a cinema, and after having been damaged by bombing during World War II, the theatre re-opened in 1952 and was acquired by the English Stage Company in 1956. The theatre became noted for its commitment to serious works by contemporary playwrights, often becoming involved in issues of censorship.

Related Topics:
Cinema - World War II - 1952 - 1956 - Censorship

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

There are two performance spaces in the building. The "Theatre Downstairs" is a 400-seat proscenium arch auditorium and the "Theatre Upstairs" is a 60-seat studio. The theatre received a major overhaul in the late 1990s, and reopened in February 2000. The auditorium was retained, but both the backstage and front of house facilities were radically improved.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Royal Court Theatre is known for its new writing. It has, since 1994 an artistic policy directed to finding and producing a new generation of playwrights. The writers have included Joe Penhall, Sarah Kane, Mark Ravenhill, Roy Williams amongst others.

Related Topics:
1994 - Joe Penhall - Sarah Kane - Mark Ravenhill - Roy Williams

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It is still inspired by the vision of first artistic director George Devine. The current Artistic Director is Ian Rickson as of 2005 and previous to that it was Stephen Daldry.

Related Topics:
George Devine - Ian Rickson - 2005 - Stephen Daldry

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Young writers (between 13 and 25) can apply to the Young Writers' Programme, which regularly catapults young writers into the limelight.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~