MORE of the world famous Royal Shakespeare Theatre – which had a major overhaul just a few years ago – is about to undergo restoration work.

The Royal Shakespeare Company has announced the start of a major project which will see the restoration of the oldest part of the company’s theatres in Stratford-upon-Avon, plus the opening of a new exhibition, which will immerse visitors in the RSC’s rich history and showcase how the company makes its world famous productions.

Work on the project, which is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, begins in January when scaffolding will be erected around the front of the Swan Theatre for restoration work to begin. The restored Grade II listed Swan Wing and the new exhibition will open in 2016, to coincide with the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.

Performances will continue in the Swan Theatre throughout the project.

The 1879 wing forms the entrance of the current Swan Theatre, and was built as part of the original Shakespeare Memorial Theatre. The façade and interior of the building will be significantly restored, revealing the hidden heritage within the building and enhancing the beautiful public spaces.

Alongside the sympathetic cleaning of the brickwork, lead windows, and roof ‘lights’, the project will include the restoration and interpretation of the three exterior bas reliefs by Paul Kummer, which depict stories from Shakespeare of comedy, history and tragedy; and the original stained glass windows which line the Swan Theatre staircase and illustrate the famous lines of the ‘Seven Ages of Man’ from Shakespeare’s As You Like It.

Installed throughout the Swan Wing, a major, new exhibition will celebrate the stories, creativity and moments of innovation in the RSC’s past and present.

Visitors aged eight and upwards will be transported behind the scenes, to capture the magic of theatre and the rich history behind the company’s performances.

Previously unseen treasures from the RSC’s internationally renowned Archive and Collection will feature in the exhibition, including costumes, set designs, props, photographs, paintings, drawings, audio and video recordings, and much more.

More information on the exhibition, designed by exhibition architects, Kossmann.dejong and curated by the RSC’s Events and Exhibitions team, will be announced this coming Spring.

Geraldine Collinge, RSC director of events and exhibitions, said: “The Swan Wing project will allow us to conserve and restore elements of this beautiful Stratford-upon-Avon landmark, which has been a feature of the town since the 1870s.

"Many of the original elements have been hidden over time and we want to bring these back for the local community and visitors to enjoy.”