Backstage Tours

Discover the world of costume at the Royal Exchange Theatre, from the first design ideas to the moment an actor walks onto the stage. 

Get a unique view of our Theatre Module and Great Hall and discover how our unique space changes the way costumes are designed, made, sourced and maintained. With audiences just metres from the action and no traditional set to tell the story, every detail of a costume matters. 

See costumes from historic to contemporary, step inside dressing rooms and quick-change areas, meet the world of wardrobe, wigs, hair and make up, and dressers, and uncover the tips, tricks and backstage secrets that bring characters to life. 

Enter the theatre through the same doors as the actors and discover how costume helps tell the story in a theatre where there is nowhere to hide. 

This is your chance to see the Royal Exchange from a different perspective, and discover how costume helps create a closer, more immediate relationship between actor and audience. 

We will be holding dedicated schools’ tours on Thursday 15 October and Thursday 22 October. If you are interested in bringing a group of students then please email engagement@royalexchange.co.uk