The Rose Theatre

The Discovery of the Rose.The Rose, Bankside was first rediscovered by Museum of London archaeologists in 1989 during construction of a new office block.The discovery, the first of a rare Elizabethan playhouse, excited huge local, national and international interest and thousands of people visited the archaeological excavation. It provided unique information about the appearance of a playhouse and how plays were staged. A powerful campaign ensured that the structural remains were preserved by reburial and the site was designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by the government to protect it for the future. The Rose Theatre TrustThe Trust was established in 1989 to preserve the Rose and make it accessible to the public. The Trust is working with Southwark Council, English Heritage, the Museum of London, Helm Architecture and many others to develop The Rose Revealed project and realise its aims.Since 1999 the Rose Theatre Trust has encouraged public access to the site of the Rose by a temporary exhibition, programmes of open days and events, readings and performances relevant to the theatrical heritage of the site and short films presenting the history of the Rose and the plays of Marlowe. These activities have been well received and well attended and show that the public’s interest and support for access to the Rose remains as strong as it was after the first discovery. The Rose Revealed Project Will preserve, display and interpret the Rose Theatre and feature an archaeological investigation of the so far unexplored eastern third of the playhouse. The Project will fulfil the widely-supported objectives of the campaign begun in 1989 by:exploring more of the remains archaeologically installing a long-term conservation system for the monumentimproving public access to the Rose creating the on-site Visitor and Learning Centrerestoring the Rose to its original use as a place of entertainment. Rose open days - Come and join us! To encourage public access to the site, The Rose Theatre Trust has created a temporary exhibition showing a short film, presenting the history of The Rose and its important theatrical heritage narrated by Sir Ian McKellen.The Rose Open Days are a vitally important part of keeping the site alive and encourage generous donations as admission is free. They are also important for raising awareness of the site and The Rose Revealed Project. Visitors from all walks of life and from all over the leave The Rose filled with enthusiasm and inspiration.