The Rose Theatres

What is it about?

Kingston’s Rose Theatre was opened in 2008, inspired by the archaeology of Philip Henslowe’s 1587 Rose. Peter Hall described the new space as ‘intimate yet epic… a modern theatre which has all the strengths of the past’. This article reflects on the relationship between players and playgoers in the two theatres, considering particular practitioners’ discoveries and the audience experience in various modern theatre spaces which have been influenced by the architecture of the Elizabethan public playhouses. In reassessing the character of the theatre dialogue between actor and audience, the article challenges previously held notions about our Elizabethan counterpart.

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Why is it important?

Kingston's Rose Theatre, inspired by the Rose Theatre on Bankside built in 1587, has given us the opportunity to learn more about the way Elizabethan and Jacobean playwrights and actors spoke to their audience, and the way the design of the theatre space enhanced this communication.