Trip to Straford-upon-Avon

At 8 o'clock prompt 26 members of Harbourside WI left by coach for a trip to Stratford-upon-Avon. We arrived at the RSC Theatre at 9.30 after a very comfortable and pleasant journey. The theatre doors opened at 10.00 and we quickly made use of the facilities (toilets!!) Followed by a welcome cup of coffee and a piece of delicious cake chosen from the amazing selection of cakes made on the premises.

We were then split into 2 groups and very well informed and entertaining gentleman took us on a behind the scenes tour of the theatre, which proved to be exceedingly informative. We started off in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre which has undergone massive reconstruction over recent years the result of which is two very impressive theatres. We were shown the wings where there is a curtained off cubicle for a very quick change if required, and then further along where all the costume changes and make up are done. We had a look at the Swan theatre and were then taken up to the control room where all the lighting and scenery is cued from, a very impressive array of computer screens and control panels gave a hint of the intricate planning required to stage a polished professional production.

We finished off at the Rooftop Restaurant which astonishingly had two seats high up on the far wall to show where the furthest seating was before the alterations to the theatre, anyone sat there would have felt far removed from the action!

This was the end of the tour and the groups split up to go their separate ways for lunch. About half a dozen ladies enjoyed a superb meal in the Rooftop Restaurant with one table having views overlooking the river Avon. Others took lunch in the various eateries around the town or had sandwiches in the park.

After lunch a dozen or so ladies returned to the theatre to watch The Two Gentlemen of Verona, which was enjoyed very much, the acting superb and the plot entertaining. The changes of scenery were especially slick and so well done you hardly noticed them happening.

The remaining ladies spent the afternoon enjoying one or more of the many attractions around Stratford, be it on the open top bus; a trip on the river; the butterfly farm; riverside walk; Holy Trinity Church, where William Shakespeare and his wife Anne are buried, or just marvelling at the Shakespearean attractions and half-timbered houses, also not to mention the shops and coffee shops. Back at the theatre there was also the views from the tower, a display of costumes and an interactive exhibition of props to admire.

The play finished at 4 o'clock which gave the theatre goers time to enjoy a pot of tea with more cake before returning, past the dressing room of the only four legged member of the cast, to the coach. Thanks for the comfortable coach ride go to our driver Mary and again to the superb organisation by Jennifer for a very enjoyable day.