Box Office Exploring Shakespeare, 1599-1600: Hamlet
Sat 14 Mar
Full Day Study Session led by Clare Smout (Two 3-hour sessions)
Hamlet’s father rises from his grave demanding that his son avenge his murder and kill the usurping king. How does Shakespeare’s most famously introspective hero rise to this challenge? Join us to explore this old story, rewritten for the Elizabethan zeitgeist.
“1599-1600: the year that launched the Globe.” This season explores the 4 plays Shakespeare wrote at the height of his career to kick-start the new Globe Theatre: an English history (Henry V), a Roman history (Julius Caesar), a comedy (As You Like It) and a tragedy (Hamlet). We also look at what his rivals at the Rose Theatre next door were doing in response to this threat.
These friendly interactive sessions include an introductory talk, group discussion (on characters, themes, language and staging), and video clips showing a variety of interpretations. There is a break midway in each session for coffee and cake. This full day event also includes an hour’s break midway. Lunch not included.
These events are suitable for those aged 18 and over.
Clare Smout is a locally-based Shakespeare specialist. She spent the first half of her career in professional theatre, the second in academic research and teaching. Clare has taught Shakespeare to students of all ages, including at the University of Birmingham and the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Continuing Education.
For further information contact shakespeare.courses@smout.org
Duration:: 420 mins