Reykjavik City Theatre
Encyclopedia
Reykjavik City Theatre
In 1989, after 90 years of performing in a small wooden building in the city centre, the company inaugurated a new, modern theatre complex. The large new building (11,000 square metres in total), comparable to many of Europe
's best theatres, has very modern facilities and four highly technical and adaptable stages. The main stage seats 560 people, a black box theatre holds 240, a theatre-in-the-round 220, and a café-theatre has room for 120 at full capacity.
The RCT employs up to 200 people at any given time. Amongst the permanent team of artist
s, technician
s and craftsmen are some of Iceland
's most sought-after talents. The company also contracts prestigious international talents for a selection of projects. All elements of production take place within the theatre itself, which has its own lighting and sound departments, set and props workshops, costume
and make-up departments as well as an experienced technical stage crew.
The company season runs from September through June each year. The RCT stages 9 to 13 new productions annually, in addition to hosting a variety of collaborations with other theatre companies. Its audience tallies range from 150,000 – 200,000 per annum, making it the most popular theatre in Iceland. The RCT is subsidised by the City of Reykjavik
and is fortunate to enjoy corporate sponsorship while maintaining a healthy independent balance sheet
.
The company draws on a richly varied repertoire of international and domestic works. It breaks new ground even when producing classic works. Under the artistic direction of Magnus Geir Thordarson, the company prides itself on a strong ensemble dedicated to emancipating young writers and discovering talented new directors. It is also mindful of the necessity of artistic vision and strong presentations to maintain record-breaking audience attendance. Furthermore, the RCT promotes a wide range of outside events varying from philosophical debates to rock concert
s. It is also the RCT's honour and privilege to be the resident theatre of ID, the Icelandic Dance Company.
In order to maintain an edge in competitive innovation, the RCT also promotes productions by independent theatre groups. Each year the theatre also hosts international guest performances while exporting progressive Icelandic theatre to festivals and theatres on the international scene. The RCT has successfully collaborated with many leading international companies such as the Barbican Centre
in London
and Het Muziek Theater in Amsterdam
. It is also proud to be the principal collaborator of the innovative and acclaimed Vesturport theatre group, with whom it has produced much-praised productions of Romeo and Juliet
and Woyzeck
which have been performed throughout the world.
Artistic Director: Magnus Geir Thordarson
Manager: Thorsteinn S. Asmundsson
In 1989, after 90 years of performing in a small wooden building in the city centre, the company inaugurated a new, modern theatre complex. The large new building (11,000 square metres in total), comparable to many of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
's best theatres, has very modern facilities and four highly technical and adaptable stages. The main stage seats 560 people, a black box theatre holds 240, a theatre-in-the-round 220, and a café-theatre has room for 120 at full capacity.
The RCT employs up to 200 people at any given time. Amongst the permanent team of artist
Artist
An artist is a person engaged in one or more of any of a broad spectrum of activities related to creating art, practicing the arts and/or demonstrating an art. The common usage in both everyday speech and academic discourse is a practitioner in the visual arts only...
s, technician
Technician
A technician is a worker in a field of technology who is proficient in the relevant skills and techniques, with a relatively practical understanding of the theoretical principles. Experienced technicians in a specific tool domain typically have intermediate understanding of theory and expert...
s and craftsmen are some of Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
's most sought-after talents. The company also contracts prestigious international talents for a selection of projects. All elements of production take place within the theatre itself, which has its own lighting and sound departments, set and props workshops, costume
Costume
The term costume can refer to wardrobe and dress in general, or to the distinctive style of dress of a particular people, class, or period. Costume may also refer to the artistic arrangement of accessories in a picture, statue, poem, or play, appropriate to the time, place, or other circumstances...
and make-up departments as well as an experienced technical stage crew.
The company season runs from September through June each year. The RCT stages 9 to 13 new productions annually, in addition to hosting a variety of collaborations with other theatre companies. Its audience tallies range from 150,000 – 200,000 per annum, making it the most popular theatre in Iceland. The RCT is subsidised by the City of Reykjavik
Reykjavík
Reykjavík is the capital and largest city in Iceland.Its latitude at 64°08' N makes it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay...
and is fortunate to enjoy corporate sponsorship while maintaining a healthy independent balance sheet
Balance sheet
In financial accounting, a balance sheet or statement of financial position is a summary of the financial balances of a sole proprietorship, a business partnership or a company. Assets, liabilities and ownership equity are listed as of a specific date, such as the end of its financial year. A...
.
The company draws on a richly varied repertoire of international and domestic works. It breaks new ground even when producing classic works. Under the artistic direction of Magnus Geir Thordarson, the company prides itself on a strong ensemble dedicated to emancipating young writers and discovering talented new directors. It is also mindful of the necessity of artistic vision and strong presentations to maintain record-breaking audience attendance. Furthermore, the RCT promotes a wide range of outside events varying from philosophical debates to rock concert
Rock concert
The term rock concert refers to a musical performance in the style of any one of many genres inspired by "rock and roll" music. While a variety of vocal and instrumental styles can constitute a rock concert, this phenomenon is typically characterized by bands playing at least one electric guitar,...
s. It is also the RCT's honour and privilege to be the resident theatre of ID, the Icelandic Dance Company.
In order to maintain an edge in competitive innovation, the RCT also promotes productions by independent theatre groups. Each year the theatre also hosts international guest performances while exporting progressive Icelandic theatre to festivals and theatres on the international scene. The RCT has successfully collaborated with many leading international companies such as the Barbican Centre
Barbican Centre
The Barbican Centre is the largest performing arts centre in Europe. Located in the City of London, England, the Centre hosts classical and contemporary music concerts, theatre performances, film screenings and art exhibitions. It also houses a library, three restaurants, and a conservatory...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and Het Muziek Theater in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
. It is also proud to be the principal collaborator of the innovative and acclaimed Vesturport theatre group, with whom it has produced much-praised productions of Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written early in the career of playwright William Shakespeare about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately unite their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular archetypal stories of young, teenage lovers.Romeo and Juliet belongs to a...
and Woyzeck
Woyzeck
Woyzeck is a stage play written by Georg Büchner. He left the work incomplete at his death, but it has been variously and posthumously "finished" by a variety of authors, editors and translators. Woyzeck has become one of the most performed and influential plays in the German theatre...
which have been performed throughout the world.
Artistic Director: Magnus Geir Thordarson
Manager: Thorsteinn S. Asmundsson