The RSC, which is pulling out of its Barbican base next year, is believed to be eyeing the less central but definitely chic theatre space The Roundhouse, in Camden.
The building has recently been given extra funding for restoration work, and would be an innvoative and interesting space for the RSC to perform in.
Adrian Noble's rationale for leaving the Babican was to use a number of London spaces, each of which would suit a different style of theatre, and would be booked for specific productions or seasons. The Roundhouse clearly fits into this agenda, and if a deal is struck then the RSC will have achieved what it is aiming for: perhaps the example of the Almeida, which has performed in a disused film studio in Islington as well as industrial premises in King's Cross, has influenced the RSC in its new, flexible performance policy.
—by Paul Webb Theatrenow
