Passionate about Shakespeare?
Did you know that we offer adult leisure courses every year that are designed to provoke discussion, encourage analysis and to enhance appreciation of Shakespeare’s works, life and times?
We are once again looking forward to hosting another series of our popular adult leisure courses here in Stratford-upon-Avon, the home of William Shakespeare.
Our leisure courses have been running for many years, and it is always a pleasure to welcome people back here, some of whom have been attending these informal gatherings for over 20 years. Each time we also welcome a number of ‘newbies’ to join in the lively conversation and immersion in all things Shakespeare, right next to the house he was born in.
Everyone is welcome: from the Shakespeare enthusiast to teachers and lifelong learners with a desire to enhance their knowledge.
Lovely sense of being part of the group – very relaxed atmosphere made us feel very welcome
— Course Attendee
Each course is carefully crafted by Dr Nick Walton, one of our many experts in Shakespeare studies, who has been hosting these courses for many years.
During the day you will discover more about the plays you will see that evening, including their performance histories and the different ways they have been presented on stage in the past. Conversation and recollections of previous productions continue over the evening meals that many of us share before seeing the evening’s theatre performance.
The morning after provides the opportunity to discuss the production together and share your own critique of the performance, which can offer a fascinating and diverse range of views. You will also hear from actors involved with the productions as well as a plethora of speakers with particular special interests. Recent topics have included: ‘Cinema Broadcasting Shakespeare’; ‘Early Modern Music – Past and Present’; ‘Giving Voice to Shakespeare’; ‘Shakespeare’s Will’; ‘Shakespeare and Money’; ‘Poets on the Stratford Road’. There are also often specialist talks about Shakespeare’s houses, plants and gardens and displays of the unique and beautiful treasures from our world-renowned library archive and museum collections.
I enjoyed everything about the course. The programme for the course is really well designed – an excellent selection of talks about a wide range of subjects alongside the opportunity for discussion with other attendees.
— Course Attendee
We are always keen to welcome new and returning participants to our adult leisure courses.
Join us on one of this year’s courses, or for more information regarding future courses you can sign up to our mailing list.