Current Productions
Hamlet- Winter Term 2012
We are delighted to announce that next term ShakeSoc will be showcasing a production of Hamlet in the first term of next year. Directed by Hannah Fullelove, this performance is set within the context of the Leveson Enquiry, and hopes to use one of Shakespeare's better known plays to challenge our perceptions of our modern, media-driven society. If you are interested in performing, auditions will be held in early term one, but keep checking our website or our Facebook page for more information nearer the time.
Past Productions
'LEAR'- June 2012
"Meantime, we shall express our darker purpose"
In 21st century Britain, where age is worthless, experience undervalued and youth forgotten, an old man fights against the onset of dementia, the battles between younger, lesser men and the machinations of the two children he values closest; failing to recognise the true love of those who hold him dearest.
Directed by Ronan Hatfull, this unique production of Lear was performed in both the Avon Studio and the Capital Studio in June 2012.
In 21st century Britain, where age is worthless, experience undervalued and youth forgotten, an old man fights against the onset of dementia, the battles between younger, lesser men and the machinations of the two children he values closest; failing to recognise the true love of those who hold him dearest.
Directed by Ronan Hatfull, this unique production of Lear was performed in both the Avon Studio and the Capital Studio in June 2012.
Henry V- March 2012
''I am afeard there are few die well that die in a battle''
Shakespeare's 'Henry V' is a tale of bravery, loyalty, deception, love, patriotism and ultimately war, directed by Olly Ashforth-Smith.
The young King Henry is drawn into a war against the French, seeking honour and glory. In this action he pits the young men of each country against each other, men who have little or no personal argument with each other ordered to kill. This is a play which is often cited as one of the most patriotic pieces of English literature, and though the great leadership and morale boosting legendary speeches are doubtless there, it is also a plat about the horrors of war.
By setting this production in amidst the trenches and shellfire of the First World War, ShakeSoc aims to show both sides of this fascinating play. We travel from the highs of true courage with our ‘band of brothers’, to the lows of the horror of the trenches, as an ensemble of 12 performers brings to life this ultimate tale of leadership and heroism against insurmountable odds.
Shakespeare's 'Henry V' is a tale of bravery, loyalty, deception, love, patriotism and ultimately war, directed by Olly Ashforth-Smith.
The young King Henry is drawn into a war against the French, seeking honour and glory. In this action he pits the young men of each country against each other, men who have little or no personal argument with each other ordered to kill. This is a play which is often cited as one of the most patriotic pieces of English literature, and though the great leadership and morale boosting legendary speeches are doubtless there, it is also a plat about the horrors of war.
By setting this production in amidst the trenches and shellfire of the First World War, ShakeSoc aims to show both sides of this fascinating play. We travel from the highs of true courage with our ‘band of brothers’, to the lows of the horror of the trenches, as an ensemble of 12 performers brings to life this ultimate tale of leadership and heroism against insurmountable odds.
Macbeth - December 2011
“Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown,
And put a barren sceptre in my grip”
A mudslide fuelled by power, greed and ambition gathers pace and soils Scotland with dishonesty and fear. Time is running out; today’s children are tomorrow’s men, but how far will the childless Macbeth go to retain his power?
Weaving together the threads of reality, imagination and the supernatural, this production explores the fragility of a kingdom built on lies and deception. Can one man achieve his deepest desires, or is it just an illusion?
A king is killed as he sleeps, children are slaughtered as they play, but the wheel of time continues to turn.
Come and explore Macbeth’s world and move through the space as the shocking events unfold around you. In association with RSC Open Stages, the University of Warwick Shakespeare Society presents a promenade production of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth,with the Bath Place Community Venture.
And put a barren sceptre in my grip”
A mudslide fuelled by power, greed and ambition gathers pace and soils Scotland with dishonesty and fear. Time is running out; today’s children are tomorrow’s men, but how far will the childless Macbeth go to retain his power?
Weaving together the threads of reality, imagination and the supernatural, this production explores the fragility of a kingdom built on lies and deception. Can one man achieve his deepest desires, or is it just an illusion?
A king is killed as he sleeps, children are slaughtered as they play, but the wheel of time continues to turn.
Come and explore Macbeth’s world and move through the space as the shocking events unfold around you. In association with RSC Open Stages, the University of Warwick Shakespeare Society presents a promenade production of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth,with the Bath Place Community Venture.
Much Ado About Nothing - WSAF '11
Set in the summer of love, the audience sat on the grass of Woodstock, watching the performance and listening to the live music.
Sonnets and Scenes December 2010
For directors: a chance to direct a famous scene from Shakespeare. For actors: an opportunity to get fully involved in ShakeSoc and explore several of Shakespeare's texts all in a few hours. For the audience: a merry romp through the complete works of the Bard. For everyone: a magnificent evening and a great way to end first term with the Shakespeare Society.
Co-ordinator: Emma Nairne
Double Falsehood at WSAF '10
Love, lust, rape, women dressed as men, and shepherds keeping their flocks; typical Shakespearean themes, right? Perhaps, perhaps not. "Double Falsehood" promises to be dark, funny and exciting. Could a play that has been edited and re-edited over centuries still bear the mark of England's most famous poet and playwright, or will the Bard be turning in his grave? Either way it will be exciting and refreshing to listen to Shakespeare's language without recognising a single phrase and without knowing what happens at the end.
Come and see ShakeSoc's semi-staged, rehearsed reading with an introduction by Peter Kirwan.
Tickets are FREE. Get them from the Arts Centre Box Office now!
Director: Sophie Gilpin
Read a review of this here: http://blogs.warwick.ac.uk/pkirwan/entry/double_falsehood_warwick/
Come and see ShakeSoc's semi-staged, rehearsed reading with an introduction by Peter Kirwan.
Tickets are FREE. Get them from the Arts Centre Box Office now!
Director: Sophie Gilpin
Read a review of this here: http://blogs.warwick.ac.uk/pkirwan/entry/double_falsehood_warwick/
Julius Caesar 2010
Set in shady backgrounds of the Senate a conspiracy is rising. Brutus, torn between his love of Rome and of Caesar, faces a moral crisis. Cassius is hell bent on bringing down Caesar. Caesar fears the calls from soothsayers and the whispers of his enemies. And gradually a storm is brewing; bringing forth war, madness and destruction to Rome.
ShakeSoc proudly presented its Shakespeare week performance (Term 3 week 2) of the classic 'Julius Caesar'. Taking a modern setting and juxstaposing current political climates, 'Julius Caesar' is an exciting, thrilling and engaging project which honours Shakespeare's work while mixing it with new, vibrant elements.
Directors: Tom Hutchinson and Sam Sturrock
Producer: Sarah Foakes
ShakeSoc proudly presented its Shakespeare week performance (Term 3 week 2) of the classic 'Julius Caesar'. Taking a modern setting and juxstaposing current political climates, 'Julius Caesar' is an exciting, thrilling and engaging project which honours Shakespeare's work while mixing it with new, vibrant elements.
Directors: Tom Hutchinson and Sam Sturrock
Producer: Sarah Foakes
As You Like It: The Radio Play
"I will speak to him, like a saucy lackey and under that habit play the knave with him."
Shakesoc and RAW present the first major Shakespeare radio production of the year, As You Like It
When Rosalind is banished by her uncle, who has usurped her father's throne, she flees to the forest of Arden where her exiled father holds court. There, dressed as a boy to avoid discovery, she encounters the man she loves - now a fellow exile - and resolves to remain in disguise to test his feelings for her. A wonderful witty comedy, As You Like It is an exuberant combination of concealed identities and verbal jousting, reconciliations and multiple weddings.
RAW: http://www.radio.warwick.ac.uk/
Director - James Sheldrake
Producer - Russell Bailey
RAW Engineer Extraordinare - Danny Fraser
The Taming of The Shrew
Kate: A feisty, outspoken, impatient 'shrew' is to be tamed by ringmaster-esque Petruchio in order for her younger sister, the virtuous and beautiful Bianca, to marry one of her many suitors. In this adventurous and creative version of The Taming of the Shrew, be prepared to watch the world of the Shrew be transformed as she enters a realm of circus trickery, carnival darkness, and a marriage marked by the ‘cage’ she is placed in by her husband. This is Shakespeare like you have NEVER seen it before....Expect the unexpected. Expect power. Expect the dark and delicious maliciousness of gender subversion and animalistic unpredictability to take control of you, as we turn the studio into alternative world that we never knew existed.
Click here to see Taming's website.
Director: Amy Coombs
Assistant Director: Vicky Odd
Producer: Clare Byrne
Click here to see Taming's website.
Director: Amy Coombs
Assistant Director: Vicky Odd
Producer: Clare Byrne
All's Well That Ends Well
"Virginity is like a withered pear." Shakesoc brings you one of Shakespeare's most exciting, intriguing plays: All's Well That Ends Well!
Christmas glitter and lipstick kisses... Put your feet up for a little light entertainment for the end of term why don't you. Coming to you in Week 10...
One of Shakespeare's most interesting problem plays has been transported from its 16th Century dwelling to a sparkling 1940's inspired wartime, with a magical realist twist.
Helena, the orphaned daughter of a doctor, cures the King of France and it granted her choice of bachelor. The problem? He doesn't love her! Bertram would rather face his death at war than be her faithful man, so he sets her an impossible task - get a ring on his finger and bear his child - THEN he will love her.
Plotting, planning, deception, and devirly play out before your eyes as Helena gets to work on ensaring the love of her life. Oh the farce! Oh the irony! Love, War, Sex, Deceit, Envy... ...Will it be All's Well That Ends Well?
Director: Russel Bailey
Producer: Alice Gahan
Christmas glitter and lipstick kisses... Put your feet up for a little light entertainment for the end of term why don't you. Coming to you in Week 10...
One of Shakespeare's most interesting problem plays has been transported from its 16th Century dwelling to a sparkling 1940's inspired wartime, with a magical realist twist.
Helena, the orphaned daughter of a doctor, cures the King of France and it granted her choice of bachelor. The problem? He doesn't love her! Bertram would rather face his death at war than be her faithful man, so he sets her an impossible task - get a ring on his finger and bear his child - THEN he will love her.
Plotting, planning, deception, and devirly play out before your eyes as Helena gets to work on ensaring the love of her life. Oh the farce! Oh the irony! Love, War, Sex, Deceit, Envy... ...Will it be All's Well That Ends Well?
Director: Russel Bailey
Producer: Alice Gahan
Hal V
Hal is a young, naive, and irresponsible boy. His friends are miscreants and thieves. His father King Henry IV falls ill. Hal is crowned King of England. Will Hal be able to forge a new identity as a mature and inspiring military leader and monarch, or will he continue to socialise with friends in The Boar's Head Tavern and remain loyal to the obese, dissolute and alcoholic Falstaff?
Weaving together the threads of comedy and tragedy, the young Hal's friendship with his lovable but dissolute friends in the tavern is witty, mocking, and lewd.
Director: Sophie Gilpin
Producer: Alice Gahan
Producer: Sarah Gibert
Weaving together the threads of comedy and tragedy, the young Hal's friendship with his lovable but dissolute friends in the tavern is witty, mocking, and lewd.
Director: Sophie Gilpin
Producer: Alice Gahan
Producer: Sarah Gibert
Twelfth Night
Shakespeare Society present their term two performance of Shakespeare's classic romantic comedy. Enjoy gender-bending antics, classic slapstick and witty word play all set against a backdrop of blossoming love!
Director: Max Archer
A Midsummer Night's Dream (ShakeSoc's inaugural production and winner of Best WSAF 2009!)
A midnight adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, performed promenade-style across campus on Midsummer night. The audience will be guided to each destination by a chorus of fairies, accompanied by the melodic brilliance of various Warwick music societies, with acapella pieces offering an interlude between scenes.
Provided with cushions, the audience will travel with the actors to several campus locations, which will be transformed into the magical, mystical world of this beloved Shakespeare comedy. With an exceptionally talented cast and an enchanting atmosphere, this alfresco production is one WSAF ’08 show that is not to be missed!
Most importantly, because it is a WSAF show, you can see this fantastic performance for FREE!
Directors: Harriet Birchall, Emma Taylor and Max Archer