The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has reopened its new theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon following a £112.8m development programme.

At the centre of the new-look Royal Shakespeare Theatre (RST) is a 1,040-seat main auditorium and a thrust stage, which has halved the distance of the furthest seat from the stage to 15m (49ft). The four-year development also included the creation of a Rooftop Restaurant to offer views overlooking the River Avon; a Riverside Café and Terrace; and a new Colonnade to link the RST with the Swan Theatre.

To coincide with the relaunch of the RSC's base theatre, the company has also announced details of its 50th anniversary seasons to be held from April 2011. RSC executive director Vikki Heywood said: "We have reopened our new home on time and on budget - a result of an extraordinarily collaborative project which I believe has delivered a shared vision for a playhouse which brings actors and audiences closer together.

The scheme was designed by Bennetts Associates, with consultants Charcoalblue; engineers Buro Happold; Mace; and Divers Jonas also involved. Image: RSC/Peter Cook