Friends events

Friends Excursions: Shakespeare's London and the Rose Playhouse

Walking tour

Thursday 3 November 2016 11am - 4pm

Meet in the entrance hall of Blackfriars tube station, at the north end of Blackfriars Bridge

£60 (includes two-course set lunch, glass of wine, coffee/tea and entrance to the Rose Playhouse). Booking required, Patrons and Friends only.

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Booking and attending Friends excursions and events

To mark the 400th year since the death of William Shakespeare, join fellow Friends for this fascinating walking tour of sites where the Bard sold his plays around Bankside and Blackfriars.

We visit sites where Shakespeare sold his plays, such as the Blackfriars Theatre, and others that he makes reference to in his plays, such as St. Benet Church, mentioned in Twelfth Night. Our guide, David Charles Pearce, is director of The Rose Playhouse, the first purpose-built playhouse to stage a production of any of Shakespeare’s plays. Its success soon encouraged other theatres around Bankside including the Swan in 1595 and the Globe in 1599.

Following lunch at a local inn, we visit the site of the Rose and see the parts of the theatre that were uncovered by archaeologists in 1989 and hear about the subsequent campaign to save the site.

Booking Friends Excursions

The way to book Friends Excursions is changing. Friends are now able to book both online and over the phone on a first come, first served basis, replacing the postal booking form.

For Friends of the RA, booking opens on 6 September at 10am. Click ‘Book now’ to book online or call 020 7300 8090 to book by phone; lines may be busy in the initial booking period. Once your booking has been made, we will post your tickets and any additional information to you as we have done in the past.

If you have any questions about the new booking process, please email tickets@royalacademy.org.uk or call 020 7300 8090.