FANS of live theatre - young or old, can now discover the secrets and stories behind the making of some of the productions from the world famous Royal Shakespeare Company.

Now open in the company’s Swan Theatre ‘wing’ at Stratford-upon-Avon is a new family-friendly visitor attraction - The Play’s The Thing.

Not only will secrets and stories of plays such as King Lear, The Tempest and others be on view, including beautifully crafted costumes and props, visitors will also be able to try on virtual costumes, learn how magical and gory stage and sound effects are made, and experience how productions are staged through interactive hands-on activities.

Treasures from the RSC’s extensive collections are displayed too, including rarely-seen props, exquisite costumes and original set designs.

This is the company’s first permanent exhibition and unlike any other previously staged by the RSC.

It will take visitors on a journey into the history of theatre-making and the experience includes:

• The Director’s ‘desk’ – discover the inspiration behind some of the RSC’s most acclaimed productions with the digitally interactive Director’s Desk. The desk is a replica of the actual desk used by the RSC’s Artistic Directors since the 1960s.

• Play Hamlet alongside actor Ewart James Walter, using state-of-the-art gaming technology. 

• The Magic Costume Mirror – visitors can try on virtual costumes from the RSC’s Collection, learn about the designs and take a photo of the experience.

• Dress up in the dressing room and take part in the Quick Change Challenge.

• The A-Z of Shakespeare’s secrets and stories reveals some of the gory details of theatre-making. Stage poo is made from porridge oats, coffee and water, whilst actors keep soup in their mouths for when they need to pretend to be sick on stage.

• The story-generator - create quick and fun version of Shakespeare plays.

• The designer’s studio shows interactive ‘model boxes’ with two very different designs for Romeo and Juliet.

• Rarely-seen costumes and props that highlight major moments from the RSC’s history.

 Many famous faces have performed at the RSC and the exhibition includes costumes worn by David Tennant, Dame Judi Dench, Sir Ian McKellen, Dame Helen Mirren, Sir Laurence Olivier, Paul Robeson and Vivien Leigh, and many others.

The Chandos portrait, a unique portrait of Shakespeare painted during his lifetime, is on display for a limited time only.

The portrait has lived at the National Portrait Gallery since it was founded in 1856, only leaving the building on a few occasions since that time. It will be loaned to the RSC until December 18 and will sit alongside the RSC’s rare first folio of Shakespeare’s plays, dating from 1623.

The display is the culmination of a major project to restore the oldest part of the RSC's theatres in Stratford - the 1879 ‘Swan Wing’.

The Swan Wing partially re-opened in April 2016, with refreshed public spaces and the new site-specific artwork, For all time, by artist Steven Follen.

To mark this second stage opening of the Swan Wing, the ‘Rialto Bridge’ that links the public spaces to the theatre auditorium will be transformed with a newly commissioned illustration by artist Vic Lee, visually telling the story of the RSC in Shakespeare’s home town.

Geraldine Collinge, Director of Events and Exhibitions, commented: “We have been researching, planning the building of this exhibition for over two years, and we are very excited that we now have the doors open to share the many wonderful and fascinating stories behind the making of our productions with our visitors.

The exhibition is open daily from 10am and tickets are - Adults £8.50, Groups of 20+ adults £8 UK Schools and College Group of 10+ students £5 (Monday to Friday) plus one free teacher ticket for every 10 student. Under 5s go free and families - up to 4 under 18s are half-price with every full price paying adult  

To book - visit: www.rsc.org.uk/theplaysthething