Rose Theatre Exhibition

I came up to London to The Rose to experience the play reading of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" on Saturday' It was really enjoyable and so nice to meet the organisers and other 'actors' who were very friendly. Loved it and hope to come again on 27th September.

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I'm happy to give the Rose Theatre Trust a full five stars because of its sui generis nature but that comes with a caveat. This is not a theatre in the modern sense of the word with a bar, toilets or even heating. Instead it is the ghost of a theatre or perhaps a shadow of the start of theatre as an art form. Allow me to explain. The Rose Theatre was the first purpose-built building in London constructed for the presentation of plays. That was all a long time ago and now all that's left are the foundations. And even these are currently hidden by sand, water and concrete to keep them preserved. So there's really nothing to see. Instead you have to imagine and that's where the volunteers running the trust really shine. We took part (in the fullest sense of the word) in their recent Twelfth Night event. This evoked the post-Christmas celebrations of past times quite physically and took us to another place entirely. It was great fun. But to enjoy the event you needed to want to participate rather than be passively entertained. So the Rose Theatre Trust is currently and continually trying to raise funds so that one day the old theatre can be uncovered for all to enjoy. It's a tall order but I think that it will happen if enough of us pitch in with the sufficient belief in the power of determination. Just don't arrive, if you can find the quite unremarkable entrance, with West End expectations.

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This is one of the most important sites in English history and needs to be preserved. They are raising money to finish the archaeological dig and documentation before transforming the site into an interpretive, modern theatre venue. Yes, it currently looks like a construction site but good things are to come upon raising the funds to save this historic landmark.

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Fascinating place; find out about the Southbank's first theatre, and Elizabethan history more generally and - if you're there on 12th night - sample some mead, stuffed figs and other delicacies. Nothing to be seen of the theater itself except the illuminated outline of the walls, but if the charity are successful in their aims at some point this may become a proper k seum and visitors centre.

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I was there for the Tuesday Matinee with family to see Midsummer Night's Dream, & was really impressed by the production. Using the original text, the language was made accessible by the delivery, the costumes & staging were both imaginative & effective, & the actors delivered with verve. All in all a thoroughly enjoyable production, enjoyed by all from young to old. Can't recommend enough.

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