Shakespeare in Southwold: Why did Shakespeare write like that?
Actor Simon Bridge helps de-mystify Shakespeare in this workshop. How do actors unlock the language? How did Shakespeare 'direct' his plays?
No acting experience is necessary for this inspiring session with one of the UK's most experienced Shakespeare facilitators. For ages 16+.
In 40 years as an actor Simon has worked in theatre,
radio, TV and film, performing Shakespeare in huge
theatres, tiny village halls and once in a Roman
amphitheatre in the Jordanian desert.
Simon was part of the award-winning education team
at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre for more than 25
years, leading thousands of workshops and
delivering hundreds of lectures for students of all
ages. At the Globe he appeared in The Merchant of
Venice directed by Richard Olivier, and in scenes
from Julius Caesar for the BBC.
Simon, who lives in rural Suffolk, has written and performed one-man
shows including the wartime recollections of a Scotland Yard detective and
an evening of Christmas ghost stories. At various times Simon has also
earned his living as a clown, juggler, stilt-walker and fire-eater, and once
sang and danced live on Blue Peter.
WASHED UP IN WALBERSWICK arrives at Southwold Arts Centre this autumn. ANYTHING CAN WASH UP ON THE NORTH SEA COAST … So far and for no good reason this company has created a tranche of tasteless comedies, featuring sexual shenanigans and frivolous filth, including Death in Southwold, No Sex in Southwold, Sex & Death in Southwold , and last year’s infamous Salacious Secrets in Southwold. “Very s...
“There was a mystery attached to 17 Friar Street that the townsfolk wouldn't discuss. It was only Mabel who was obsessed with finding the truth. I met Mabel when I arrived in late September. She was standing in the street staring at an upstairs window. “Do you know the house?” I asked. Without altering her gaze she replied, “I know something of its history. You mustn’t even think of lodging here.”...
CLASSICALLY TRAINED PIANIST AND POET, WILL DREW-BATTY, PRESENTS AN ENTERTAINING EVENING OF IMPROVISED MUSIC, STORIES, HUMOUR AND CREATIVITY WITH A DIFFERENCE. Taking random ideas from his audience he creates live pieces of music on the spot. His ‘box’ is the piano and from it he pulls out musical stories, poems, landscapes, and moods – all inspired by members of the audience. The show is interspe...
Hot on the heels of Brighton, Camden and off-West End success, 1816 heads to Southwold for one night only. It’s Byron and Shelley, as you've never seen them before. In this Friends meets Frankenstein comedy-drama musical, from the same company that originally launched SiX: 1816 is the ultimate origin story of the first modern vampire novel and Frankenstein, where a group of five Romantics get tra...
A grief cafe in Lowestoft, a town mourning the loss of its high street on a coastline that’s crumbling like Rich Tea biscuits. After losing her hubby, ageing Crystal wants to live laugh love but maybe she just needs to chill out. After losing Dad, teenage Jordan just wants to like get grieving over and done with and that... but grief is messy and comes in waves right? Group leader Howard ...
Shakespeare in Southwold: Why did Shakespeare write like that?
Sun 21 Jun
Actor Simon Bridge helps de-mystify Shakespeare in this workshop. How do actors unlock the language? How did Shakespeare 'direct' his plays? No acting experience is necessary for this inspiring session with one of the UK's most experienced Shakespeare facilitators. For ages 16+. In 40 years as an actor Simon has worked in theatre, radio, TV and film, performing Shakespeare in huge theatres, tiny...
Christopher Luscombe directs Shakespeare’s hilarious yet heartbreaking tale of unrequited love. Adrian Edmondsen plays the pompous and malevolent Malvolio with Kara Tointon as Olivia and Dinita Gohil as Viola. Luscombe chose a late Victorian setting for his visually rich production which appealed to both the critics and the audience. Simon Higlett's splendid set designs included railway stations, ...
Erica Whyman directs this contemporary production of Shakespeare’s most famous story of love at first sight, with women cast in several of the traditionally male roles, including Mercutio. Ripped apart by the bitter divisions of their parents, two young people will risk everything to be together. The most famous story of love at first sight explodes with intense passion and an irresistible desire ...
Shakespeare in Southwold: How the past comes to life with Professor Raphael Lyne
Tue 23 Jun
In this talk, Professor Raphael Lyne explores the role of memory in Shakespeare’s works, investigating how language, imagery, and dramatic form bring the past into the present. Drawing on his research project "When memories come alive: an interdisciplinary study of the vividness of memory," this event offers fresh insight into Shakespeare’s art and the enduring force of memory and recollection in ...
Based on the novel by Maggie O’Farrell, who co-wrote the screenplay. William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal), a young Latin tutor, falls in love with the free- spirited Agnes (Jessie Buckley) and marries her despite his parents’ disapproval. In due course they have three children, but William heads to London to pursue his career as a dramatist, leaving his family in Stratford. During his absence young H...
Gregory Doran directs a cast including Antony Sher as Sir John Falstaff, Jasper Britton as King Henry and Alex Hassell as Prince Hal. King Henry's health is failing as a second rebellion against his reign threatens to surface. Intent on securing his legacy, he is uncertain that his son Hal is a worthy heir, believing him more concerned with earthly pleasures than the responsibility of rule. Sir Jo...
Shakespeare in Southwold: Performing Shakespeare with Joseph Ballard
Thu 25 Jun
An engaging and practical workshop explores the rhythm, language and emotional depth of Shakespeare’s plays, helping performers unlock confidence and clarity on stage. Led by Joseph Ballard, participants will develop essential voice skills and a deeper understanding of character and text. Whether you're new to Shakespeare or looking to refine your performance, this is a supportive and inspiring wo...
Shakespeare in Southwold: RSC All's Well That Ends Well
Fri 26 Jun
Set in France and Italy, All's Well That Ends Well is a story of one-sided romance, based on a tale from Boccaccio's The Decameron. Helena is convinced that she and wealthy Bertram are destined for each other. He’s not so sure. After engineering their betrothal, Helena will go to any length to bring her idealised version of romance to life. But what happens when the reality of their relationship d...
Dorothy is finally home in Kansas, but she can’t shake the feeling that something is missing. Meanwhile, back in the magical land, Oz has faded! The Emerald City has turned dull grey, the Yellow Brick Road is a dusty brown, and all the magic has disappeared. The Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion know exactly what they need: Dorothy’s sparkle! Join the incredible young cast of Wiggle a...
A return to Southwold Jazz Club for Joanna Eden, but a first for her band as they tour her new album 'The Road to Paysandu'. A prolific singer-songwriter, Eden's enigmatic, heart-warming original compositions will be combined with those of her heroes Joni Mitchell, Stephen Sondheim and Burt Bacharach. Still high from her recent BBC Proms duet with superstar Sam Smith at the Royal Albert Hall, J...
In the deep dark depths of a small woodland glade, a strange little girl discovers a golden crown hanging from a tree branch. Greedy to claim it for themselves, three threadbare fools try to scare the girl into surrendering her treasure: they spin a series of twisted tales depicting cursed kings, cheerless executioners, and bread-and-butter-worshipping- butlers. Yet, two unseen figures stand in...
