RSC happy to let public see actors ‘fall flat on their faces’

THE Royal Shakespeare Company is giving audiences unprecedented access to its actors and directors, taking them backstage to watch an entire play being rehearsed over several weeks this summer – even if it risks actors being seen to “fall flat on their faces”.

For the first time in the RSC’s history, artistic director Gregory Doran is inviting the public to watch live streaming of intensive rehearsals for a production of Henry VI, Part 1.

Audiences will see a company of 16 actors dissect and deliver the first play in the Henry VI trilogy, a tale of war and court rivalries, inspired by one of the most turbulent periods of English history. They will see them work on everything from voice technique to stage fighting.

Mr Doran told The Sunday Telegraph: “Generally, the rehearsal room is sacrosanct and the doors are shut. We like to retain a sense of a place where actors are free to fall flat on their faces and experiment. We thought this time maybe we could reverse that and allow people a greater sense of transparency about how we do what we do.”

While the Royal Opera House allows public access to final dress rehearsals and other companies have staged workshops online, Mr Doran said. “I’ve never seen something that’s been taken all the way to performance. I think it’s a first in terms of the invitation to be part of the whole process.”

He said that, while a couple of actors initially found the prospect of livestreaming rehearsals “too frightening”, they are also inspired by the idea: “Most actors at the moment just want to be working. You’ve got to be quite secure in your talent to do something like this.”

‘We thought this time we could allow people a greater sense of transparency about how we do what we do’

He added: “We aren’t about jeopardy. We’re not waiting for them to have a row with the director. Nor is it a wartsand-all documentary. It’s more to do with insights into process. It’s an adventure. It’ll be really interesting to see how audiences receive it.”

The rehearsals begin on June 1 in the Ashcroft Room in Stratford upon Avon. They will culminate in a live-streamed final production in the Swan Theatre on June 23, available to watch on demand. The rehearsals will be free. Tickets for the final broadcast will cost £20.