Richmond Theatre

Richmond Theatre is one of the most beautiful of all the Frank Matcham theatres. Built in 1899 as the Theatre Royal and Opera House and refurbished in 1991, it is now operated and managed by The Ambassador Theatre Group Ltd, renowned for its productions and highly successful management and ownership of theatre venues throughout the country. Established as one of the most successful theatres in the country, presenting a wide range of quality drama, record breaking musicals, opera, dance and family entertainment each year, Richmond Theatre welcomes a quarter of a million theatregoers to over 40 outstanding productions annually, performing for about 49 weeks in each year. We also attract up to 400 young people to education events, workshops and summer school activities each year. Tours of our historic building, the auditorium and stage area are available to the general public (and offered free of charge to Friends and Members). Richmond Theatre acts as a venue for local arts organisations and charities to meet, perform and enjoy the theatre.

'To wake the soul with tender strokes of art'
Alexander Pope (1713)
From the plaque above Richmond Theatre Stage

Our small, but dedicated creative learning team at the Richmond Theatre aims to foster access to and enjoyment of the theatre amongst as wide a cross-section of the community as possible.
We hope to inspire and equip theatre-makers and theatre audiences of the future with a programme founded on collaborations, partnerships and dialogues with a diverse range of people (artists, theatre companies, universities, schools, community workers, young people…).

See the ‘About us’ page for details of the areas our work covers.

Current projects:

Richmond Theatre is currently in the process of developing the Young Company – a peer-led project for 17-25 year olds with an interest not just in acting, but in backstage work, physical theatre, directing and writing. The project will be up and running by the start of 2012, with an ultimate aim to create a production entirely made by the participants, who will help to write, direct, advertise, and work backstage on the show they produce. If you are interested in joining, or want more details, please contact richmondtheatrecl@theambassadors.com

'I'm proud to have been a part of the work of the Education Department at Richmond Theatre'
Kenneth Branagh

'It was fantastic to make contacts on such a small scale - teachers that can actually support each other throughout the school year, and venues that can become a first port of call for our schools'
Head of Drama, Isleworth and Syon School

Events:

Booking contacts
Box Office on 0870 060 6651
Richmond Theatre Creative Learning Department: 020 8332 4524/
janemetcalfe@theambassadors.com
Groups hotline 0870 060 2516

Forthcoming Events:

November 2011
•    Playtime – Sat 26 Nov

December 2011
•    Historic Tour – Sat 3 Dec
•    Play Reading Group – Tue 6 December
•    Pantomime Family Fun – Sat 10 December
•    Design: Panto Puppets Workshop – Sun 11 Dec
•    Poetry Group – Tue 13 December
•    Cinderella Pre-Show Arts & Crafts – Sat 17 Dec
•    Perform: Put on a Panto Workshop – Wed 21 Dec

January 2012
•    Cinderella Pre-Show Arts & Crafts – Sat 7 Jan
•    Technical Theatre Insight Workshop – Sat 14 Jan
•    Cinderella Pre-Show Arts & Crafts – Tue 10 Jan
•    Cinderella Pre-Show Arts & Crafts – Wed 11 Jan    
•    Cinderella Pre-Show Arts & Crafts – Thu 12 Jan
•    Pantomime Family Fun – Sun 15 Jan
•    The Nutcracker Pre Show Arts & Crafts – Sat 21 Jan
•    Peppa Pig Pre Show Arts & Crafts – Wed 25 Jan
•    Balletboyz Post Show Talk – Fri 27 Jan

February 2012
•    Poetry Group – Tue 1 Feb
•    Family Tour – Fri 17 Feb

March 2012
•    Historic Tour – Sat 3 Mar
•    The King’s Speech Post Show Talk – Thu 8 Mar
•    The Taming of the Shrew Post Show Talk – Thu 22 Mar
•    Poetry Group – Tue 29 Mar
•    Family Tour – Sat 31 Mar

April 2012
•    Poetry Group - Tue 3 Apr
•    Comedy Masterclass – Sat 7 Apr

For Schools and Colleges:

For Schools and Colleges
Pantomime Workshops
November 2011 – January 2012
If you’re bringing a group from your school along to see Cinderella, why not book a workshop to accompany your visit? A member of the Creative Learning Team will come out to your school and deliver a fun-packed workshop which exploring the story of Cinderella and the conventions of pantomime.
From £100
To book a workshop e-mail janemetcalfe@theambassadors.com
(pre-show workshops at the theatre also available on request)

School Visit Days
Available Tuesday-Friday during term time (show schedule permitting)
The Creative Learning Department offers bespoke theatre tours and in-house activities for schools. From backstage tours, to literacy days, history days and careers workshops, we can tailor your visit to compliment the themes and activities that you are looking at in the classroom.
From £1 per participant
Contact the Creative Learning Department to discuss your visit

The Taming of the Shrew
Contact the Creative Learning department to find out more about the RSC’s educational activities, including page to stage workshops and post show talks

Pre/Post Show Events
Post Show Talks
Join us for an opportunity top ask the company your questions about the show.  Talks last approximately 20 minutes and are free to ticket holders.

Balletboyz - Fri 27 Jan
The King's Speech - Thu 8 Mar
The Taming of the Shrew - Thu 22 Mar

Pre-show Family Events
Cinderella Pre-Show Family Fun
Sat 10 December, 6pm
Sun 15 January, 12noon & 4pm
Join us for Arts and Crafts, Face Painting, Balloon Modelling and more in the hour before the show.  Free to ticket holders.

Pre-show Arts and Crafts
Fun, free family arts activities to keep your little ones entertained in the hour before the show.
Cinderella
Sat 17 Dec & Sat 7 Jan, 10am
Tue 10 Jan, Wed 11 Jan & Thu 12 Jan, 6pm

The Nutcracker
Sat 21 Jan, 1.30pm

Peppa Pig's Treasure Hunt
Wed 25 Jan, 12noon & 3pm

Activities for Children and Families
Perform: Put on a Panto!
Wed 21 Dec, 10am - 12.00noon
7-11 yrs
Take to the stage and learn a song and dance from this year’s panto.
£10, book via Box Office

Design: Panto Puppets
Sun 11th Dec, 10am - 12pm
6-10yrs
Join us to make your own panto puppet based on one of the characters from Cinderella, and learn how to bring them to life.
£8, book via Box Office

Playtime
Saturdays 10.30am – 12pm – Once a month
Sat 26 Nov
Fun, free, family arts and crafts and storytelling along a different theme every month. Suitable for children ages 4+ and their families.

Activities for Young People:

Technical Theatre Insight Workshop
Sat 14 Jan, 11am - 12.30pm
Ages 12-16 yrs
Join members of our Technical Team to explore the theatre and find out about their work through
demonstrations and practical activities.  
£7, book via Box Office

Comedy Masterclass
Sat 7 Apr, 10am - 12pm
Ages 16+
A rip-roaring look at what it takes to write and perform comedy, taking inspiration from Monty Python and other comedy greats.
£10, book via Box Office

Theatre Tours
Family Tours
Fri 17 Feb, Sat 31 Mar
10.30am (Tours last approx 1 hour)
Take a peek behind the scenes and learn about the secrets of Richmond Theatre. A fun and informative tour aimed at families with children aged 8+.
£5 Adults/£3 Children
Book via Box Office

Historic Tours
Sat 3 Dec, Sat 3 Mar, Sat 2 Jun
12pm (tours last approx 90 mins)
Regular Tours of the historic building for adults.
£3.50 – Book via Box Office

Bespoke Tours
Bespoke tours for groups exploring the architectural, operational and artistic developments at Richmond Theatre since its opening in 1899.
£5 per head; contact the Creative Learning Department to book.

Regular Courses:

For Young People

Pre-Stage Youth Theatre
Saturday 10 - 11am
£105/term
Bring your budding little star along to weekly drama sessions at the theatre.  Through games, exercises, story-telling, and songs the children are encouraged to engage their imaginations, and play and learn creatively. Our experienced practitioners work with the children, guiding them through fun participant-centred workshops which nurture creativity and self-confidence.  

Richmond Youth Theatre
Stage 1 (8-11yrs) - Monday 4.15-5.45pm
Stage 2 (12-14yrs) - Wednesday 4.30-6.00pm
Stage 3 (15-17yrs) - Wednesday 6.00-7.30pm
£135 per term/£355 per year
Richmond Theatre runs a vibrant programme of workshops for young people, with groups for those aged 8-17 running on week day evenings during term time.  Once a year, each youth theatre group stages a performance in the theatre.  Working with experienced professionals, our young participants develop their skills and self-confidence, make new friends, and have a great time!

Richmond Young Company
The Richmond Theatre are currently developing The Young Company and a project for 17-25 year olds who enjoy devising, performing, and learning new skills. We are also offering the opportunity to learn about other aspects of the theatre, including technical and backstage skills, physical theatre and writing. The project should be up and running by the start of 2012 with an ultimate aim to produce a show entirely made by the participants.
For further details contact richmondtheatrecl@theambassadors.com

For Adults
Adult Acting Group
Mondays 7pm-9pm
£95 per term/£250 per year
Open to all-comers, the class takes a look at what tools an actor needs in his toolkit, in a friendly, informal atmosphere. Once a year, the students get to stage their work on the beautiful stage at the theatre and have other opportunities open to them to perform for the venue. The acting content ranges all the way from Shakespeare to Ayckbourn - there's something for everyone!

Adult Scriptwriting Group
One Saturday per month from Sept, 10am-1pm
A ten session course, through which you will develop your own play.
£170 annually - Book via Box Office
The sessions look at everything from the practicalities of form and structure, to characterisation and plot-building, and are informed by the work of course leader Dawn King and that of other contemporary and classical playwrights.  

Richmond Theatre & Libraries Poetry Reading Group & Playreading Group
Poetry - 13 Dec , 1 Feb, 29 Mar, 3 Apr
Playreading - 8 Dec
10.30am - 12pm
FREE. No need to book, just turn up.
For anyone who enjoys reading poems and songs aloud; join us each month in the stalls bar.  Each month we theme our sessions around the current show at the theatre. The sessions are informal and fantastic for meeting people with similar interests.

Work Placements
Richmond Theatre offers regular opportunities for young people and students to gain experience of working life in the commercial theatre sector. The duration and nature of each placement can vary depending on the time of year and level of experience of the candidate.
If you are interested in applying, please email Gaby Lewis at richmondcl@theambassadors.com

Please note: if you are in years 9, 10 or 11 and are looking for work experience we are now only taking applications for placements after May 2012. We have no work experience slots left before this date.

Please note: We are a receiving venue and we do not have the following departments in-house: costume, make-up, production or stage management. If you are interested in gaining experience in those areas, you will need to contact a producing theatre.


Information:

What do we do?
Our work covers the following areas:

1. An ongoing programme of regular courses including our Youth Theatre, Young Company, Adult Acting Group, Scriptwriting Course and Poetry Group.

2. Workshops, talks, short courses and one off events that complement the programme of professional touring theatre, dance, musicals and comedy on Richmond Theatre’s main stage.

3. Work Related Learning activities for students and schools including work experience, industry days and careers talks.

4. Richmond Theatre Trust Projects. These are usually collaborative projects with the aim of widening access to the theatre for specific, targeted groups.


Contact Us:

Richmond Theatre
The Green
Richmond
Surrey
TW9 1QJ
020 8332 4500

Jane Metcalfe
Creative Learning Manager
janemetcalfe@theambassadors.com

Gaby Lewis
Creative Learning Assistant
richmondtheatrecl@theambassadors.com

Jane Metcalfe - Creative Learning Manager
Gaby Lewis - Creative Learning Assistant & Pre-Stage Youth Theatre Leader
Mhairi Grealis - Course Director
Guy Jones - Youth Theatre Assistant Director
Dawn King - Writing Course Tutor
Caroline Payne - Pre-Stage Youth Theatre Leader

Put Your Company In The Spotlight

Corporate Membership

Richmond Theatre's Corporate Membership programme offers an association with a beautiful Grade II Victorian theatre overlooking Richmond Green. The theatre has a strong record of building mutually beneficial corporate partnerships that raise brand awareness, provide PR opportunities and offer local companies a chance to give something back to their community.

Corporate Membership benefits are tailored to fit business objectives and can include complimentary and discounted tickets, client entertaining, marketing to the theatre's loyal customer base and invitations to local business networking events.

Sponsorship

Become a Richmond Theatre sponsor and benefit from the exciting and varied opportunities to be directly associated with a production from the programme of pre and post West End plays, opera, ballet, dance, comedy and children's shows. A bespoke benefits package is created for each individual sponsor that can help to raise company profile in the local Richmond and Twickenham area and offers a memorable way to entertain clients or employees.

Richmond Theatre Trust

Richmond Theatre is more than a playhouse; it is at the heart of a vibrant community, entertaining and educating people of all backgrounds. Richmond Theatre Trust is a charitable company established to support creative learning activites at Richmond Theatre which improve access to the theatre and demystify the theatre-making process for a wide cross-section of the community.

Contact

For a comprehensive description of the benefits of each package available, please contact:
Shelagh Sejourne, Business & Community Development Officer, Richmond Theatre, The Green, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1QJ
Tel: 020 8332 4522 Email shelaghsejourne@theambassadors.com

Richmond Theatre would like to thank all its supporters

Sponsors and Corporate Members:
•    The Bingham
•    Cote Richmond
•    Pizza Express
•    La Buvette
•    Malsar Kest
•    Cirrik Restaurant
•    Fishworks
•    Pizzeria Rustica
•    Parker Car Service
•    Perry Hay & Co
•    The Duke Public House and Dining
•    John D Wood & Co
•    mhrconsultancy
•    Karidis
•    Mailbird Organisation Limited
•    Feather & Stitch

Local Partnerships
•    Roehampton University
•    The Best of Richmond
•    St Mary's University College Twickenham
•    Hounslow Chamber of Commerce
•    Academy Signs
•    Armit Wines
•    Farrow & Ball

Donors - Richmond Theatre Trust
•    Ivy Learning Services
•    Jack Petchey Foundation
•    London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames
•    The Peter Beckwith Harrow Trust
•    Dramatic Edge