A PORTRAIT that may be the only authentic painting of Shakespeare, dating from his lifetime, will be the star of a new exhibition at Stratford.

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s new family-friendly visitor attraction, "The Play’s The Thing", will open on Saturday October 22; and the celebrated "Chandos " portrait, most likely painted from life, will be on loan for the launch from the National Portrait Gallery.

A spokesman said: "This immersive exhibition reveals secrets and stories from the world’s most famous theatre company: visitors can try on virtual costumes, learn how magical and gory stage effects are made, and experience how productions are brought to life through state-of-the-art interactive activities.

"Treasures from the RSC’s extensive collections will be displayed, including rarely-seen props, exquisite costumes and original set designs. The Play’s The Thing is the Company’s first permanent exhibition and unlike any other previously staged by the RSC."

But the painting is sure to be a big talking point, although time to see it will be limited.

The spokesman said: "To mark the opening, the Chandos portrait, a unique portrait of Shakespeare, will be on display for a limited time only. The portrait has lived at the National Portrait Gallery since it was founded in 1856, only leaving the building on a few occasions since that time.

"It will be loaned to the RSC until December 18 and will sit alongside the RSC’s rare first folio of Shakespeare’s plays, dating from 1623."

The Play’s The Thing is the culmination of a major project to restore the oldest part of the RSC's theatres in Stratford-upon-Avon, the 1879 ‘Swan Wing’.

Geraldine Collinge, Director of Events and Exhibitions said: “We have been researching, planning the building this exhibition for over two years, and we are very excited that we can now open the doors and share the many wonderful and fascinating stories behind the making of our productions with our visitors.

"I’m particularly looking forward to sharing some of the wonderful objects from the RSC Collection that people don’t normally get the opportunity to see.”