Discover more than 400 years of theatre-making magic

Containing items from the RSC Collection, one of the most significant Shakespeare and theatre collections in the world, our free The Play's The Thing exhibition offers a unique insight into the history of theatre-making in Stratford-upon-Avon.

No advance booking required, except for groups of 10+

Please Note: The Play's The Thing Exhibition will be closed for essential maintenance between 26 January and 8 February, reopening on 9 February.

Level 1 Swan Theatre
Midday - 7pm (4pm Sundays) 
Free 

Curated for 2025/26

Enter the ever-changing world of the RSC, and explore our history and work here in Stratford-upon-Avon. Each year different community groups engage with our collections, sharing their perspectives and selecting objects for display.

For 2025, three groups with experience of displacement from home have helped co-curate this exhibition, reflecting themes of imagination and playfulness. Their choices and words show the power of theatre to inspire ideas and illuminate emotions across cultures, languages, and borders.