Aspiring actors and Shakespeare lovers in Oxfordshire have a rare opportunity to explore the Bard’s works with a seasoned Royal Shakespeare Company actor, for free!
Thame Players are inviting adults aged 18 and over to apply for Sharing Shakespeare: Getting a Taste of His Language, a series of three free acting workshops led by acclaimed stage and screen actor Bruce Alexander, best known for his Shakespearean performances and TV role in A Touch of Frost as Superintendent Mullett.
About the Workshops
All three acting workshops will be held on the Players Theatre stage at Nelson Street, Thame, OX9 2DP on three consecutive Mondays in September:
- Monday 15th Sept, 6:30–7:30pm: An Introduction to Shakespeare’s Plays and Sonnets
- Monday 22nd Sept, 6:30–7:30pm: Working on Individual Shakespeare Sonnets
- Monday 29th Sept, 6:30–8:30pm: Verse Work and Performance Sharing
Each session will offer hands-on guidance in understanding and performing Shakespeare’s language, from sonnets to dramatic monologues, in an inclusive, friendly environment. Up to 14 participants will be selected to take part.
Who Can Apply
- Open to adults aged 18+
- No previous acting experience required
- Applicants must be fluent in English
- Deadline: Applications will close once all places are filled (early application strongly advised)
- Participants must attend all three sessions
How to Apply
To apply, email helen.johns@thameplayers.co.uk with:
- Your full name
- Confirmation you are over 18
- A one-sentence explanation of what you hope to gain from the workshops
Successful applicants will be notified by the end of July.
About Bruce Alexander
Bruce Alexander has performed in over twenty Shakespeare plays, many with the Royal Shakespeare Company. His lifelong passion for Shakespeare and extensive theatre career make him an ideal guide for participants looking to deepen their appreciation of the Bard’s work.
Local Support for the Arts
These workshops are generously funded by South Oxfordshire District Council’s Performing Arts Grants Scheme, which supports projects that increase access to the arts, celebrate diversity, and develop local creative talent.
Cllr Georgina Heritage, arts portfolio holder at South Oxfordshire District Council, said:
‘We are thrilled that Thame Players’ application to the Performing Arts Grants Scheme 2024/25 has demonstrated their project’s alignment with community values and priorities and therefore been awarded the requested funding. We wish them every success with these workshops, devoted to the sonnets and plays of our greatest bard. Hosted by Bruce Alexander, a leading Shakespearean actor, we hope they help to develop local artistic talent.’
