Reading Shakespeare: a director's perspective - Much Ado About Nothing & As You Like It

About this course

The course compares two Shakespearean romantic comedies, considering their treatment of relationships, gender and comic conflict alongside the chronology of the plays. Detailed reading of selected scenes provides a basis for discussing the challenges of staging each work and the choices a theatre director might make. Teaching combines tutor mini-lectures with small- and whole-group discussion. Participants may also read passages aloud, while filmed performance extracts may be used to explore how Shakespeare’s text translates to the stage.

What you'll learn

• Discuss Much Ado About Nothing and As You Like It using relevant textual and theatrical detail
• Analyse significant themes and consider how performance choices could illuminate them
• Identify features of Shakespeare’s verse and examine how language shapes character and setting
• Relate close reading of scenes to the process of adapting a script for performance

Is this course right for you?

The course is intended for beginners and requires no previous knowledge. It suits learners interested in reading, considering and discussing Shakespeare’s plays. Participation centres on tutor-led teaching and group discussion, with reading aloud available for those who wish to take part.

• No previous knowledge is required
• Reading aloud is optional
• The course includes small- and large-group discussion

Before you go

• Participants should buy or borrow copies of both As You Like It and Much Ado About Nothing. Any edition is suitable.
• Assigned reading is set for each week; individual research is available for those who wish to undertake it.