The Stratford Roundhouse – Stratford’S Forgotten Theatre 2025

The Stratford Roundhouse was a small and experimental theatre space set up in 1970 by Royal Shakespeare Company actor Martin Bax. It was only active for two years, but during that time the theatre saw performances by celebrated thespians including Dame Helen Mirren, Sir Patrick Stewart, and Sir Ben Kingsley, and has been labelled as the inspiration for the RSC’s The Other Place.

The research detailing the history of the forgotten theatre has been published in the journal Theatre Notebook, led by Dr Abigail Rokison-Woodall, Senior Lecturer in Shakespeare and Theatre at the University of Birmingham’s Shakespeare Institute. Inspired by her research, the brilliant documentary maker Andrew Smith was keen to capture the story on film.

After a showing of the film Martin will be in conversation with Dr Rokison-Woodall who said : “The Stratford Roundhouse played a vital role in not just the history of the RSC and theatre in the Midlands, but experimental theatre in Britain. It packed a considerable punch in terms of impact, talent, and ambition.”