RSC awards starring role to steel

Billington Structures has recently secured a multi-million pound contract for the redevelopment of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.

The work comprises a complete refurbishment of the complex with new structural steelwork extensions added to the buildings.

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s aim is to create the best theatre in the world for the Bard’s plays. Basing its idea on the courtyard theatres of the Middle Ages, the new complex will seat 1,030 people, with the furthest seat only 15m from the stage.

Working on behalf of Mace, steel erection is due to begin in September and Billington estimates it will erect approximately 600t of structural steel.