Gardiner & Theobald completes RSC job

Gardiner & Theobald has just finished its role on the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Courtyard Theatre in Stratford upon Avon.

The firm acted as Employer’s Agent and QS on the temporary theatre as work is due to be carried out on The Other Place studio theatre.

The Courtyard Theatre, which cost £6m and was completed in 11 months, was designed by Ian Ritchie Architects and includes a 1,048-seat auditorium.

The walls were built from a recyclable material (Corten A steel sheets) and create a soundproof auditorium to meet the RSC's high acoustic requirements.

Michael Boyd, artistic director at the RSC, said:“The Courtyard Theatre will be an exciting theatrical space. The name reflects our ambition to create an auditorium that mirrors the intimacy of the courtyard theatres Shakespeare wrote for. We've always been committed to continuing to perform in Stratford while we transform the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. It's important for the RSC and also for the economic health of the region. Although temporary, the Courtyard Theatre will have all the facilities audiences and artists expect from the RSC.”