Courtyard Theatre Stays Open in Stratford???

The “temporary” Courtyard Theatre, which was built in Stratford-upon-Avon as a performance space for the Royal Shakespeare Company during the two-and-a-half year closure of the Royal Shakespeare and Swan Theatres, may not be so temporary after all. The company has successfully had its temporary planning permission extended this year so that it can house a handful of performances during the upcoming World Shakespeare Festival. And, this summer, after further consultation, the company will apply for planning permission to maintain it as permanent performance space, which could replace what was The Other Place venue in Stratford.

If successful, the aim would be to convert the 1,000 seat “tin shed” into an intimate 200- to 250-seat performance space for new work, as well as more rehearsal rooms. Speaking at a press briefing today to announce the company’s 2012/13 winter season, executive director Vikki Heywood said the work would cost “well under” £5 million, at least two-thirds of which has already been raised. The Courtyard’s last production was Matilda the Musical, which premiered there last Christmas before its transfer this year to the West End.