It was announced today that the Royal Shakespeare Company will be launching new online series Talking Shakespeare from Monday 13 July.
The exclusive series will see be hosted by RSC Artistic Director Gregory Doran and will feature online conversations with Associate and Honorary Associate Artists from throughout the Company’s history.
Talking Shakespeare will discuss the artists experience of performing Shakespeare at the RSC and beyond and will feature Dame Judi Dench, Ray Fearon, Harriet Walter, Patrick Stewart, Alexandra Gilbreath, David Tennant, Adjoa Andoh, Simon Russell Beale and Paterson Joseph with further guests to be announced in the coming weeks.
The exclusive live, online events series will run weekly on a Monday from 5-6pm and is open to Subscribers, Members and Patrons of the Royal Shakespeare Company plus the Company’s nationwide network of Associate School teachers. You will be sent a link and will be able to access the conversations via the Members, Patrons and Subscribers section of the RSC website, which is accessed through private login.
The online events are free of charge, as a thank you for the ongoing support given to the Company during the pandemic, but with a suggested donation of £10. Money raised will support the Company’s Keep Your RSC campaign to help secure the future of the RSC and its mission to transform lives through amazing experiences of Shakespeare and great theatre.
Those wishing to support the Keep Your RSC campaign by becoming a new Member or supporter can do so and benefit from Talking Shakespeare and future events. Further details of how to support can be found at www.rsc.org.uk/support/become-a-member-supporter
Executive Director, Catherine Mallyon, said: “Our Members and supporters are providing the Company with vital income during the Covid-19 crisis. Since the closure of our theatres in March we have been finding new and creative ways of engaging with our supporters online. Initiatives range from regular Zoom updates from our Artistic team for Production Circle and Season Supporters, to virtual talks and behind-the-scenes exclusive events for Patrons and Members, including a first screening of our 2019 production of King John via You Tube earlier this month.
“We are extremely grateful to our members and supporters, who have recognised the very challenging position we find ourselves in, alongside all theatres and arts venues around the country. And whilst it is sadly too early to say when we will be able to re-open and what the future might look like, we hope that ‘Talking Shakespeare’ and other similar events will continue to entertain and engage our membership through this challenging time, and importantly thank them for their ongoing and vital support as we look forward to the time when we can safely re-open”.
You can catch the first conversation with Dame Judi Dench on 13 July at 5pm. And if you’d like to donate, please click the button below.