THEATRE MASTERCLASS / LITERATURE MASTERCLASS

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The general purpose of our masterclasses is to explore the link between Shakespeare’s dramatic text as literature and (sometimes) poetry and its scenic translation. Through the study of carefully chosen passages from the plays, which the participants will have to prepare ahead of the classes, we will ask ourselves what dramatic process is at work inside the scripts and how it materialises on stage when actors take ownership of it. We will look closely at the specificity of Shakespeare’s writing and how it “works” on stage and is still so relevant nowadays although it was written between 1590 and 1616.

Each of the chosen texts will be the object of a theatre and a literature class as we are keen never to dissociate page from stage. The order might however vary from day to day.

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THEATRE SESSIONS will explore the text as a dramatic medium. The point of view will be that of the director and actor. You will be asked to work on an extract from a play either as a player or as a director and after you have presented your work, the session will continue with feedback and further work under the direction of the theatre practitioner.

 

LITERATURE SESSIONS will concentrate on the literary, cultural and artistic background for the text and explore the writing itself, deciphering the themes, figures of speech and all literary devices at work in the script. You will be invited to contribute your interpretation of the text and your work will be developed by our Shakespearean scholar.

 

The contents of classes will be specialised and of a high level of competence. The sessions will draw on input from the participants followed by the intervention of the tutors and further exploration. Your participation is therefore paramount and you must be prepared to contribute to the work.

 

However, you need not be a professional actor to play an active part in a theatre class nor do you need to be a consummate scholar to tackle a literary topic. Our tutors are specialists but they do not expect you to be proficient in all aspects of the Shakespearean practice! You will never be made to feel inadequate or wrong – you are coming to learn and you will find encouragement and care all round!

  Our Masterclasses