Open House

Our annual Open House is a theatre feast for the regulars and a spectacular delight for the never-beens. This year's Open House is all about firsts. Come and discover the plays, the stories and the people that had their firsts at the Royal Court. "Click here to download the full Open House programme": royalcourttheatre.devspace.net/mmlib/includes/sendapplicationfile.php?id=766 h2. Bookable Events Places for all events are limited. Please book in advance by calling 020 7565 5000. h2. Tours 11.30am-12pm, 12-12.30pm, 12.30-1pm, 1-1.30pm Uncover historical, artistic and architectural facts about the Royal Court on this half hour theatre tour. FREE h2. Talk h3. Do You Remember The First Time? 12.15 - 1.45pm, Jerwood Theatre Upstairs Playwright Simon Stephens, former Artistic Director Max Stafford-Clark, Richard Wilson and Lindsay Duncan and Lennie James share their stories about their own 'firsts' at the Royal Court. FREE h2. Workshops h3. Technical Design 11am - 12pm on THE PAIN AND THE ITCH, Jerwood Theatre Downstairs. 1.30pm - 2.30pm on ALASKA, Jerwood Theatre Upstairs. A practical look at some techniques employed in realising productions at the Royal Court. Accompanied by a matinee ticket for a special price of £10. FREE h3. Play On Words 10.30am - 12pm, The Site Led by our resident Young Writers tutor and playwright, Leo Butler, this workshop includes drama games, improvisation and other practical exercises designed to inspire children to write a short play. Suitable for ages 8 - 11 FREE h3. Working With Masks 2.30 - 4pm, 4.30 - 6pm, Rehearsal Room Mask creator Roddy Maude-Roxby leads two interactive workshops in which participants get the chance to try on a variety of masks and play with their personas. FREE h3. Directing The Pain and The Itch 3.45 - 5.15pm, The Site The Royal Court's new Artistic Director, Dominic Cooke, reveals some of the processes involved in directing his latest show. Participants can purchase a top price ticket to the evening performance of The Pain and The Itch for a special price of £10. £7.50 h3. Directing Alaska 5.30 - 7pm, The Site Maria Aberg, director of Alaska, leads a practical workshop revealing some of the rehearsal processes involved in staging the play. Participants can purchase a ticket to the evening performance of the show for a special price of £10. £7.50 h2. Masterclass Directing New Writing 2 - 3.30pm, The Site A rare opportunity to witness a Royal Court director lead actors through a demonstration of some rehearsal techniques. Led by Sacha Wares, Associate Director. £7.50 h2. Drop-In Events h3. Performances in Promenade 11am - 5pm Iconic scenes from Royal Court playwrights' first plays make their impact on different spaces around the building. FREE h3. Mask Exhibition 11am - 2pm An exhibition of Roddy Maude-Roxby's exquisite masks which were first used in rehearsals in the 1950s by Royal Court founder George Devine. Roddy was an original member of the English Stage Company and also a founder member of the legendary mask and improvisation group Theatre Machine. FREE h3. Sneaky Peak Tour 11.30am - 2pm Weave your way through, under, around and over the stage on a rolling tour and discover what makes the Royal Court tick. See performances along the way and the backstage team in action. FREE h2. Street Theatre 11.30am-12pm, 1-1.30pm, 2.30-3pm. 4-4.30pm Stop, look, and listen as we stage outdoor performances in Sloane Square. FREE