At our summer schools in Italy (UK in 2021) participants come from all over the world, ranging in age from 18 to 95. We workshop the plays with experienced practitioners many of whom are long-time associates of the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Globe. Our summer schools are a great way of bringing people of all ages and backgrounds together to work on the chosen plays in depth from an actor's pov, like a speeded up rehearsal process. We put scenes on their feet and create the world of the play. Tutors have included actors -
Dame Janet Suzman, Michael Pennington, John Nettles, Jane Wymark, Charlotte Cornwell, Josie Lawrence, Paul Jesson and directors Bill Alexander, Lucy Bailey, Christopher Luscombe, Emma Lucia Hands and Vik Sivalingam.
2022 Cagli Theatre ( Pesaro Urbino, Marche) with acclaimed UK based directors Christopher Luscombe leading work on The Comedy of Errors and Vik Sivalingam on Much Ado About Nothing. ( photo below)
"It is hard to imagine a more perfect pitch in terms of challenging vs. accessible. I would say it was exactly what I had hoped for, except that it was much, much more." John Bergez, USA
Some photos from our summer school for young people in Racehill Community Orchard in East Brighton Aug 31 - Sept 3 2021
TOP DIRECTORS, ACTORS AND PRACTITIONERS LEAD OUR UK SUMMER SCHOOL
2021 THE PLAYGROUND THEATRE, LONDON W10
For glowing testimonials from our 2021 summer school at The Playground Theatre pls see under News.
Our first course was held in Urbino in 2014 and again there in 2015.
In 2017 we were in Padua and in 2018 in Pizzo Calabro in Calabria.
2019 The fifth summer school took place in Florence at the British Institute, Lungarno Guicciardini from July 6 - 19, 2019.
Video of Florence summer school by Giacomo Tarsi https://youtu.be/NQVPp8_kwSo
TESTIMONIALS
"Thank YOU for running this program. Best vacation I’ve ever had."
Emma Day, student, USA
"The course was above and beyond my expectations. Bill is the most outstanding teacher. Clear, knowledgeable, expert, living treasure. Having the group so intelligent and with so much life experience was an unexpected bonus. I loved the friendly, caring family atmosphere. It was a life changing two weeks for me and I thank you from the bottom of my heart."
Lyn Pierse, Actress, Australia
"Bill's session at Cagli theatre had us presenting scenes from the play and that was very successful. It is such a special thing to work on a stage."
Reg Grouse, teacher aged 92, Australia.
"I cannot thank you enough for your vision, organization and clear passion. This has been one of the most rewarding educational experiences of my life and I return home with many ideas for infusing more passion into my own teaching of Shakespeare."
Rachel Barnes, teacher, USA