The Rose Theatre, Kingston is an 900 seat venue in the centre of Kingston Upon Thames. The design of the auditorium took its inspiration from the Elizabethan Rose Theatre, situated on London's Bankside and has the same lozenge shaped stage, semi-circular seating configuration and pit area, where audiences can sit on cushions to watch performances.
The Rose opened in January 2008, since when it has presented a number of visiting productions plus a host of one nights shows, including a regular residency from the Comedy Store. It also provides a major cultural centre for the local community and is developing a programme of education work centered on the Spoken Word.
Under the leadership of Stephen Unwin, Artistic Director, and Peter Hall, Director Emeritus, the Rose has already presented five in-house productions, including Love's Labour's Lost directed by Peter Hall, A Christmas Carol and The Winslow Boy directed by Stephen Unwin (which also went onto tour nationally across the UK). In autumn 2009, the Rose presented its first in-house repertory season, comprising Alan Ayckbourn's Bedroom Farce directed by Peter Hall, and August Strindberg's Miss Julie directed by Stephen Unwin, both of which received wide critical acclaim. Karen Louise Hebden's adaptation of Treasure Island marked the Rose's spectacular Christmas production in 2009 which Stephen Unwin directed.
In February 2010, the Rose launched its seventh home-grown production, A Midsummer Night's Dream with a cast led by Judi Dench, and directed by Peter Hall.
Watch the Rose Trailer here. Video by Neil Armstrong - www.neilarmstrongfilms.co.uk
Rose Theatre, Kingston
24-26 High Street
Kingston KT1 1HL
0871 230 1552 (Box Office)
020 8546 6983 (Administration)
020 8546 8783 (Fax)
admin@rosetheatrekingston.org
Photo by Chris Pearsall.
