The Royal Court turns 70 today

We’re marking our 70th anniversary with a year-long project celebrating the people whose lives have intersected with the Royal Court over the past seven decades.

Rather than focusing on the work on our stages, we're turning our attention outward, highlighting our audiences, staff, neighbours, and visitors, and the moments where we’ve played a role in special moments of their lives. Launching today with a short trailer introducing the project and inviting you to contribute your own memories.

At its heart is a simple idea: while we’ve spent 70 years telling stories on the stage, it’s the people who pass through our building, who chose to spend their time here, who give those stories meaning - and often become part of the story themselves.

Throughout 2026 we’re collecting personal stories from people whose lives have, in small or significant ways, intersected with the building since it opened in 1956. From first jobs and first dates to late-night encounters in the bar, chance visits, and lifelong connections, the project hopes to honour the humour, warmth and unpredictability of life and experience around our theatre.

We’ll be sharing these stories through a series of short films, photography and interviews; the launch begins today with a trailer, giving you a taste of what's to come and inspiration for what you might want to share with us.

Selected contributors will be photographed by photographer Camilla Greenwell, forming a special series of portraits and stories to be shared later in the year. Audiences, artists, staff, and local businesses are all invited to take part.

Share your story today for the chance to be included. Submit a few words via the link here by Monday 1 June 2026 for consideration.