Royal Exchange Theatre Marks 50 Years with 'Mythic Reinvention' Costume Exhibition

The Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester is commemorating its 50th anniversary with a complimentary exhibition showcasing costumes from its extensive archive. Since its debut in September 1976 with Richard Brinsley Sheridan's The Rivals, the venue has been housed in a seven-sided tubular steel structure within a Victorian hall in St Ann's Square. Creative director Selina Cartmell described the 750-seat theatre-in-the-round as akin to a spaceship, emphasizing its role as a democratic space where the bond between actors and audiences is most authentic. The exhibition, titled Mythic Reinvention and curated by award-winning designer Leslie Travers, features over 25,000 in-house crafted costumes. It runs until 15 November and highlights the theatre's unique qualities and the contributions of those who have influenced its legacy.