From News ....

"Last year, after exceeding the original £100 million fundraising target before building work had even begun, the RSC decided to extend renovations to the Grade II-listed building – adding in a double-height rooftop restaurant and increased facilities for artists – with a price tag of a further £12.8 million.

On Saturday, Boyd said: “It has long been our aim to bring actors and audiences closer together and this appeal gives everyone a chance to help us achieve that aim. “We have been fortunate to receive many gifts from our members and supporters already, but with £10 million left to raise, we still have some way to go ...

The appeal includes collection boxes and standard online, postal and telephone donations as well as opportunities to sponsor seats (£1,200) and bricks (£50 each) and to “top up your tickets” with a donation surcharge."



.... So, how many of us are going to "top up our tcikets" to enable this double-height restaurant to be built ?

I never add voluntary donations when buying tickets. Does that make me a terrible person? I'm sure it does.

Having been to the RSC Open Day, perhaps they should do a series of nude plays. I saw how much some of their costumes cost; by not spending that money, they could probably build fifteen restaurants!

i would be very interested in the theory of how a double height roof top restaurant will “bring actors and audiences closer together”

Recently when booking at the Lyric Hammersmith I liked the idea of not paying a booking fee (as does everyone) but having the option of paying a £1 donation to the theatre. It’s a much nicer way of begging.

I never add a donation to my ticket money and I do sometimes feel guilty - especially on the South Bank website that automatically adds a couple of quid so you have to manually take them off again. I always imagine someone watching from the box office and thinking "what a mean bitch..."

I do think the new building will be exciting and I didn't much like the old one. I'm not sure I care enough to sling them £50 for a brick though.

Thank God everyone isn't like me...

How terrible that the RSC should want to have a Stratford home with facilities that are worth using! The previous RST was a monstrosity and the fact that the company want to improve it above and beyond what they had planned is something to be applauded. The fact it is a donation is great, you have the choice to contribute if you want or not. They could have added £1 to each ticket for Hamlet and Love's Labours Lost and raised a grand every night. Luckily, we can choose.

The real reason that the RST is being demolished is that David Tennant lost his wallet down the back of one of the seats and they're tearing the place apart trying to find it.