Round Orange
The Orange Tree Theatre In Richmond
The Theatre opened on the 31 December 1971 in the upstairs room of the Orange Tree pub which is just across the road from Richmond Station. At that time there was a big increase in alternative theatres, which continued to grow in the late 60s and early 70s. It proved a roaring success and had to do the first lunchtime performance twice to accommodate the numbers who came. In those days people didn’t book, they just turned up and there were often queues on the stairs, people were so keen to see the shows.
This first production was done by daylight at lunchtime, where the audience and the actors shared the space. This is where in “the round” comes from. People sit round the stage where the actors are performing. When the pub was renovated they moved from lunchtime to evening productions.
In 1991 the new Orange Tree Theatre, which seats 172, opened just across the road from the pub, in what used to be a school. It is now London’s only permanent theatre in the round and is entirely committed to this form of theatre.
The Orange Tree has built its reputation and is now one of the most highly respected theatres outside the London’s West End. They have a wide range of productions which draw audiences from all over the Borough of Richmond and further afield.
Since 1991 the Theatre has taken on a lot more work with schools and now an estimated 20,000 participants are actively involved each year. The Shakespeare projects give young people, who otherwise might be denied the opportunity, the chance to participate in high quality live theatre and are aimed to introduce his plays to pupils aged 6 – 18 in an imaginative and accessible way.
If you are in Richmond or can get there, this really is a wonderful experience that should not be missed. For more information please click here.
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