A tour of Stratford's thrusting new stage

Michael Boyd, the Royal Shakespeare Company's artistic director, takes to the stage of the new Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.

The RSC has spent four years and £112m redeveloping the Royal Shakespeare and Swan theatres.

From Wednesday, people can go inside and see the 1,000-seat auditorium in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and go up its 36m (118ft) tower.

There are also exhibition spaces, a new restaurant, a riverside cafe and terrace and public areas.

Will Gompertz blogs on the Stratford-upon-Avon redevelopment