Hot on the heels of Shakespeares birthday last week the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has further reason to celebrate, having raised more than £100m for its rebuilding programme in Stratford-upon-Avon. The money was raised to redevelop the Companys flagship Royal Shakespeare Theatre (RST) and has come from a mixture of private donors, Arts Council England, and Advantage West Midlands.
. Five individuals from the UK and United States alone have pledged a total of £22m. Such support has allowed the RSC to not only meet its target but to exceed it. As a result of the successful fundraising campaign the RSC has now increased its target from £100m to £112.8m: it hopes to raise this additional sum through its seat appeal and a wider public appeal later this year. Work will begin this week on transforming the 1932 RST following an international fundraising campaign chaired by Lady Susie Sainsbury and Dame Judi Dench. The work is scheduled for completion in 2010; until then the RSC will continue to perform at The Swan Theatre, The Courtyard Theatre and new sites in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Published: 07-05-2007