Guthrie Theater

Since it was founded in 1963, the Guthrie Theatre has given rise to some stellar performances. In 2006 it relocated to the historic Mill District and the stunning architecture of the new theatre house, is worth a visit alone.

Born from a desire to stay true to the classic stage performances, Sir Tyrone Guthrie established the theatre in an effort to rid the productions of the sensationalism of those seen on Broadway. He wanted to focus less on the commercialisation aspect of the theatre and more on the quality of performance.

The very first play staged was the classic "Hamlet" by Shakespeare and his work is regularly performed here. However, from the 1980s onwards there was a distinct move towards hosting more contemporary, artistic productions.

This move toward the modern was complimented by Jean Nouvel's avant-garde design for the new building. This beautiful midnight-blue exterior complements the natural surroundings and blends into the river landscape. Whether you see a play or not, make sure to visit the lobby, which is an architectural marvel. Referred to as the Endless Bridge, this observatory-style platform stretches out over the West River Parkway, giving rise to magnificent views of the Mississippi River and beyond.

Intimacy isn't compromised on any of the three stages with seating intentionally no more than 16 metres from the stage fuelling a wonderful atmosphere. There are performances nearly every day on at least one of the stages. Make an evening of it by booking a table in one of the many restaurants or cafés on site. Have a pre-show drink at the bar and bring it in with you when the show starts.

If you are a fan of the theatre why not go on the Backstage tour, which operates every Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning. Or if you'd like, the Architecture tour focuses on the history of the building while the Costume Rentals tour lets you sift through over 30,000 different costume pieces.

The Guthrie Theatre is situated in downtown Minneapolis, on the west bank of the Mississippi. Parking is expensive, especially when the local American football team, The Vikings, are playing. To book tickets for a play or a tour, visit the official website.