Reading Shakespeare: a director's perspective - Twelfth Night and Two Gentlemen of Verona
Time: 14:45 - 16:45
Location: Keeley Street
and discuss how Shakespeare’s use of verse evolves over the course of his career.
- Course Code: HLT307
- Dates: 22/05/24 - 26/06/24
- Time: 14:45 - 16:45
- Taught: Wed, Daytime
- Duration: 6 sessions (over 6 weeks)
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Laura Baggaley
Course Code: HLT307
Duration: 6 sessions (over 6 weeks)
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What is the course about?
On this six-week literature course, we will read and explore scenes from two of Shakespeare’s plays: one of his early comedies, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, and a later comedy, Twelfth Night. 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?
The two plays deal with the theme of love in different forms – requited and unrequited, noble and comedic, sincere and ridiculous! In both stories, young women disguise themselves as male servants and have to hide a deep love for their unreachable masters. We’ll carry out detailed readings of specific scenes in order to delve into these varied presentations of love, as well as discussing how theatre productions bring the world and characters of the plays to life.
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 early and late 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 Twelfth Night and The Two Gentlemen of Verona.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Look at HLT18 Classic Drama and 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 splits her time between teaching, writing, environmental work and directing theatre productions.
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.