Come together with others to explore the work of different playwrights, share the spoken word and gain insight into different plays. These fun and friendly sessions are for people who would like to read and discuss plays under the guidance of a theatre professional. Working in a supportive atmosphere you will read out loud and discuss the main themes of a range of both contemporary and classic texts.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
These play reading sessions are an inspiring way to gain a deeper feel and understanding of texts that you may be familiar with or are exploring for the first time. Plays are meant to spoken aloud and not read by oneself and reading can be enormous fun and this is a great opportunity to bring the plays to life. The sessions will appeal to anyone with an interest in the theatre, reading for pleasure or simply wanting to meet other members of the City lit community. Any acting students will also benefit from these classes as it is a fabulous opportunity to enter and inhabit the world of the play. You will look at themes, stories, writing styles and the historical context of the plays in a positive and enjoyable atmosphere. We will explore two plays during the course.
What will we cover?
• Sessions will begin with a very gentle and relaxing vocal warm up • Reading of the texts • Group discussions on particular topics • Themes • Writing styles • Historical context.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Discuss the texts with confidence Specify the main themes, historical contexts and characteristics of the set texts Approach other play texts with greater confidence.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is open to all. The ability to listen and to learn from other students is important. In order to get the most from the course you will be able to: • Listen actively and communicate • Read and analyse scripts to find meaning and clarity.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Tutor instruction and explanation, group reading, discussion, question and answer. To get the most from the course, you will need to be able to: • listen actively and communicate clearly • give and receive constructive feedback.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You will be able to access the plays via Nick Hern Books collection on DramaOnline via the City Lit library e-resources page. You can log in using your City Lit account. Further details will be posted in the Google Classroom. You may prefer to purchase your own hard copies.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Enrol onto the next Play-reading course where you will have the opportunity to explore further texts. You may also be interested in Reading English literature aloud, Speaking Shakepeare, Acting: theatre history, practical Acting classes, Voice classes such as Accents, Character voice, Audio books etc. Contact the Drama department for further advice.
Simon Bowen’s credits as a professional actor include appearances at The National Theatre, Hampstead Theatre and Bristol Old Vic, as well as dramas for the BBC, ITV and Channel 4. He wrote ‘Free’ for the National Theatre, ‘From London With Love’ for BBC Radio 4, and ‘Whitebaby’ and ‘Waterloo’ for Paines Plough. He has also been a writer on attachment at Soho Theatre and the National Theatre Studio. Simon has directed plays and development workshops in a wide variety of settings including Soho Theatre, The Arcola, The Park Theatre, Theatre 503 and The Bunker Theatre. At City Lit, Simon currently teaches theatre-directing and play-reading.
Juliet PragueSee moreSee less
Juliet Prague trained at the Drama Centre. Theatre is her first love; she was a founding member of Mkultra, a performance collective that presents work in the UK, Greece and Italy. Her extensive career as an actor includes 24 Hours at the Arnolfini (Bristol 2019), The Vagina Monologues (2019), Afterlives in Athens as part of the Hellenic Festival (2017), Circle of Blood shot in Niagara Falls by cult director Michael di Paolo (2014) and Square Rounds written and directed by Tony Harrison at the National Theatre. As director she has created theatre in unexpected places including art galleries and homeless communities. A skilled voiceover artist she has recorded many talking books and cartoons. She has also sung with Voicelab at the Southbank Centre. With her wide knowledge base including Stanislavski, the Method and Meisner Technique, Juliet has taught acting for over twenty years at City Lit, Regents University, Rose Bruford, Brunel, Royal College of Music, and has led training programmes for the corporate sector. She is also currently acting teacher at The Bridge Theatre Training Co.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/play-reading1054143Play-readinghttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/l/play-ready-drm140-_drm142-1024.jpg179179GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Performing arts/Courses/Performing arts/Acting and theatre/Courses/Performing arts/Acting and theatre/Acting/Courses/Performing arts/Acting and theatre/Performance skills228513141315132314151228513141315<p>Come together with others to explore the work of different playwrights, share the spoken word and gain insight into different plays. These fun and friendly sessions are for people who would like to read and discuss plays under the guidance of a theatre professional. Working in a supportive atmosphere you will read out loud and discuss the main themes of a range of both contemporary and classic texts.</p>003033997Play-reading179179https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/l/play-ready-drm140-_drm142-1024_24.jpgInStockDaytimeTueKeeley StreetNo longer available5-10 weeksWeekday2026-11-03T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allNov 2026Performing artsDRM140179179Play-reading179125179Simon Bowenplay-reading/drm140-2627Come together with others to explore the work of different playwrights, share the spoken word and gain insight into different plays. These fun and friendly sessions are for people who would like to read and discuss plays under the guidance of a theatre professional. Working in a supportive atmosphere you will read out loud and discuss the main themes of a range of both contemporary and classic texts.0015-FullStillOpen|2026-11-03 00:00:00These play reading sessions are an inspiring way to gain a deeper feel and understanding of texts that you may be familiar with or are exploring for the first time. Plays are meant to spoken aloud and not read by oneself and reading can be enormous fun and this is a great opportunity to bring the plays to life. The sessions will appeal to anyone with an interest in the theatre, reading for pleasure or simply wanting to meet other members of the City lit community. Any acting students will also benefit from these classes as it is a fabulous opportunity to enter and inhabit the world of the play. You will look at themes, stories, writing styles and the historical context of the plays in a positive and enjoyable atmosphere. We will explore two plays during the course.Come together with others to explore the work of different playwrights, share the spoken word and gain insight into different plays. These fun and friendly sessions are for people who would like to read and discuss plays under the guidance of a theatre professional. Working in a supportive atmosphere you will read out loud and discuss the main themes of a range of both contemporary and classic texts.• Sessions will begin with a very gentle and relaxing vocal warm up<br>• Reading of the texts<br>• Group discussions on particular topics<br>• Themes<br>• Writing styles<br>• Historical context.Discuss the texts with confidence<br>Specify the main themes, historical contexts and characteristics of the set texts<br>Approach other play texts with greater confidence.This course is open to all. The ability to listen and to learn from other students is important. In order to get the most from the course you will be able to:<br> • Listen actively and communicate<br> • Read and analyse scripts to find meaning and clarity.Tutor instruction and explanation, group reading, discussion, question and answer. To get the most from the course, you will need to be able to: <br> • listen actively and communicate clearly<br> • give and receive constructive feedback.You will be able to access the plays via Nick Hern Books collection on DramaOnline via the City Lit library e-resources page. You can log in using your City Lit account. Further details will be posted in the Google Classroom. You may prefer to purchase your own hard copies.Enrol onto the next Play-reading course where you will have the opportunity to explore further texts. You may also be interested in Reading English literature aloud, Speaking Shakepeare, Acting: theatre history, practical Acting classes, Voice classes such as Accents, Character voice, Audio books etc. Contact the Drama department for further advice.Acting and theatreActingvirtual3095899Play-reading179179https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/l/play-ready-drm140-_drm142-1024_25.jpgInStockDaytimeTueKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2027-02-02T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allFeb 2027Performing artsDRM141179179Play-reading143125179Juliet Pragueplay-reading/drm141-2627<p>Come together with others to explore the work of different playwrights, share the spoken word and gain insight into different plays. These fun and friendly sessions are for people who would like to read and discuss plays under the guidance of a theatre professional. Working in a supportive atmosphere you will read out loud and discuss the main themes of a range of both contemporary and classic texts.</p>0000-Available|2027-02-02 00:00:00<p>These play reading sessions are an inspiring way to gain a deeper feel and understanding of texts that you may be familiar with or are exploring for the first time. Plays are meant to spoken aloud and not read by oneself and reading can be enormous fun and this is a great opportunity to bring the plays to life. The sessions will appeal to anyone with an interest in the theatre, reading for pleasure or simply wanting to meet other members of the City lit community. Any acting students will also benefit from these classes as it is a fabulous opportunity to enter and inhabit the world of the play. You will look at themes, stories, writing styles and the historical context of the plays in a positive and enjoyable atmosphere. We will explore two plays during the course.</p><p>Come together with others to explore the work of different playwrights, share the spoken word and gain insight into different plays. These fun and friendly sessions are for people who would like to read and discuss plays under the guidance of a theatre professional. Working in a supportive atmosphere you will read out loud and discuss the main themes of a range of both contemporary and classic texts.</p><p>• Sessions will begin with a very gentle and relaxing vocal warm up<br>• Reading of the texts<br>• Group discussions on particular topics<br>• Themes<br>• Writing styles<br>• Historical context.</p><p>Discuss the texts with confidence<br>Specify the main themes, historical contexts and characteristics of the set texts<br>Approach other play texts with greater confidence.</p><p>This course is open to all. The ability to listen and to learn from other students is important. In order to get the most from the course you will be able to:<br>• Listen actively and communicate<br>• Read and analyse scripts to find meaning and clarity.</p><p>Tutor instruction and explanation, group reading, discussion, question and answer. To get the most from the course, you will need to be able to:<br>• listen actively and communicate clearly<br>• give and receive constructive feedback.</p><p>You will be able to access the plays via Nick Hern Books collection on DramaOnline via the City Lit library e-resources page. You can log in using your City Lit account. Further details will be posted in the Google Classroom. You may prefer to purchase your own hard copies.</p><p>Enrol onto the next Play-reading course where you will have the opportunity to explore further texts. You may also be interested in Reading English literature aloud, Speaking Shakepeare, Acting: theatre history, practical Acting classes, Voice classes such as Accents, Character voice, Audio books etc. Contact the Drama department for further advice.</p>Acting and theatrePerformance skillsPerforming artsActing and theatreActingvirtual179,143179125DRM140,DRM141NONETue02/02/27 - 09/03/2715:00 - 17:0015:0017:006 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetSimon Bowen,Juliet PragueBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allNo longer available,Available courses2026-11-03T00:00:00+00:00,2027-02-02T00:00:00+00:00Nov 2026,Feb 2027Performing arts179179Play-readingplay-reading/drm140-2627,play-reading/drm141-2627Come together with others to explore the work of different playwrights, share the spoken word and gain insight into different plays. These fun and friendly sessions are for people who would like to read and discuss plays under the guidance of a theatre professional. Working in a supportive atmosphere you will read out loud and discuss the main themes of a range of both contemporary and classic texts.,<p>Come together with others to explore the work of different playwrights, share the spoken word and gain insight into different plays. These fun and friendly sessions are for people who would like to read and discuss plays under the guidance of a theatre professional. Working in a supportive atmosphere you will read out loud and discuss the main themes of a range of both contemporary and classic texts.</p>0000-Available|2027-02-02 00:00:00These play reading sessions are an inspiring way to gain a deeper feel and understanding of texts that you may be familiar with or are exploring for the first time. Plays are meant to spoken aloud and not read by oneself and reading can be enormous fun and this is a great opportunity to bring the plays to life. The sessions will appeal to anyone with an interest in the theatre, reading for pleasure or simply wanting to meet other members of the City lit community. Any acting students will also benefit from these classes as it is a fabulous opportunity to enter and inhabit the world of the play. You will look at themes, stories, writing styles and the historical context of the plays in a positive and enjoyable atmosphere. We will explore two plays during the course.,<p>These play reading sessions are an inspiring way to gain a deeper feel and understanding of texts that you may be familiar with or are exploring for the first time. Plays are meant to spoken aloud and not read by oneself and reading can be enormous fun and this is a great opportunity to bring the plays to life. The sessions will appeal to anyone with an interest in the theatre, reading for pleasure or simply wanting to meet other members of the City lit community. Any acting students will also benefit from these classes as it is a fabulous opportunity to enter and inhabit the world of the play. You will look at themes, stories, writing styles and the historical context of the plays in a positive and enjoyable atmosphere. We will explore two plays during the course.</p>Come together with others to explore the work of different playwrights, share the spoken word and gain insight into different plays. These fun and friendly sessions are for people who would like to read and discuss plays under the guidance of a theatre professional. Working in a supportive atmosphere you will read out loud and discuss the main themes of a range of both contemporary and classic texts.,<p>Come together with others to explore the work of different playwrights, share the spoken word and gain insight into different plays. These fun and friendly sessions are for people who would like to read and discuss plays under the guidance of a theatre professional. Working in a supportive atmosphere you will read out loud and discuss the main themes of a range of both contemporary and classic texts.</p>• Sessions will begin with a very gentle and relaxing vocal warm up<br>• Reading of the texts<br>• Group discussions on particular topics<br>• Themes<br>• Writing styles<br>• Historical context.,<p>• Sessions will begin with a very gentle and relaxing vocal warm up<br>• Reading of the texts<br>• Group discussions on particular topics<br>• Themes<br>• Writing styles<br>• Historical context.</p>Discuss the texts with confidence<br>Specify the main themes, historical contexts and characteristics of the set texts<br>Approach other play texts with greater confidence.,<p>Discuss the texts with confidence<br>Specify the main themes, historical contexts and characteristics of the set texts<br>Approach other play texts with greater confidence.</p>This course is open to all. The ability to listen and to learn from other students is important. In order to get the most from the course you will be able to:<br> • Listen actively and communicate<br> • Read and analyse scripts to find meaning and clarity.,<p>This course is open to all. The ability to listen and to learn from other students is important. In order to get the most from the course you will be able to:<br>• Listen actively and communicate<br>• Read and analyse scripts to find meaning and clarity.</p>Tutor instruction and explanation, group reading, discussion, question and answer. To get the most from the course, you will need to be able to: <br> • listen actively and communicate clearly<br> • give and receive constructive feedback.,<p>Tutor instruction and explanation, group reading, discussion, question and answer. To get the most from the course, you will need to be able to:<br>• listen actively and communicate clearly<br>• give and receive constructive feedback.</p>You will be able to access the plays via Nick Hern Books collection on DramaOnline via the City Lit library e-resources page. You can log in using your City Lit account. Further details will be posted in the Google Classroom. You may prefer to purchase your own hard copies.,<p>You will be able to access the plays via Nick Hern Books collection on DramaOnline via the City Lit library e-resources page. You can log in using your City Lit account. Further details will be posted in the Google Classroom. You may prefer to purchase your own hard copies.</p>Enrol onto the next Play-reading course where you will have the opportunity to explore further texts. You may also be interested in Reading English literature aloud, Speaking Shakepeare, Acting: theatre history, practical Acting classes, Voice classes such as Accents, Character voice, Audio books etc. Contact the Drama department for further advice.,<p>Enrol onto the next Play-reading course where you will have the opportunity to explore further texts. You may also be interested in Reading English literature aloud, Speaking Shakepeare, Acting: theatre history, practical Acting classes, Voice classes such as Accents, Character voice, Audio books etc. Contact the Drama department for further advice.</p>Acting and theatreActing,Performance skillsconfigurable
13231315Actinghttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/acting-and-theatre/acting1/2/285/1314/1315/13231/Courses/Performing arts/Acting and theatre/Acting
