Reading Shakespeare: a director's perspective - Merchant of Venice and Othello
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- Start Date: 24 Sep 2025End Date: 12 Nov 2025Wed (Daytime): 15:00 - 17:00In PersonLocation: Keeley StreetDuration: 8 sessions (over -8 weeks)Course Code: HLT42Tutors: Laura BaggaleyFull fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £142.00
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What is the course about?
On this eight-week literature course, we will read and explore scenes from two of Shakespeare’s plays: The Merchant of Venice and Othello. Examining the thematic similarities of the pieces, and setting them within the chronology of Shakespeare’s plays, we will consider how a theatre director might approach the scripts with a view to performance.
What will we cover?
Both plays deal with identity, racism and love, and they share the cosmopolitan world of Venice as a setting for part or all of their action. We’ll look at how the two plays interrogate otherness and outsiders in their contrasting comic and tragic romance plots. We’ll carry out detailed readings of specific scenes in order to delve into these themes, as well as discussing the particular challenges of each piece and how theatre directors bring them to life in different ways.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Discuss two of Shakespeare’s plays in an informed and confident manner;
• Identify significant themes and describe how these might be illuminated in performance;
• Identify key features of Shakespeare’s verse, and how his use of language brings characters to life and creates a world.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No previous knowledge is required, just an interest in reading, considering and discussing the plays.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Tutor mini-lecture, small and large group discussion and some reading aloud of the play texts for anyone who wishes to participate. Extracts of filmed performances may be used where available, exploring 'text to performance'. Work outside of class is to do the assigned reading for each week and individual research for those who wish.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please buy or borrow copies of The Merchant of Venice and Othello (any edition).
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Look up other drama courses on our website under History, Culture and Writing/Literature/Drama at www.citylit.ac.uk.
Laura is an experienced theatre director, teacher and writer and has taught at City Lit since 2011. Laura has worked at a wide range of venues including the National Theatre, the Open Air Theatre Regent’s Park, Birmingham Rep, the Cambridge Arts Theatre, and Southwark Playhouse. She loves all types of plays, from new writing and devised theatre to Shakespeare and works in translation, and enjoys bringing scenes and characters to life with students in her classes. Laura studied English Literature as an undergraduate at Oxford University and went on to take an MA in Text and Performance Studies at King’s College London and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. She now splits her time between teaching and writing novels for young adults.
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.