Our 10th anniversary summer school was on #KingLear with Bill Alexander and Michael Corbidge leading the workshops

Photos, a video and feedback from our 2024 summer school held this year at The Playground Theatre, Latimer Road W10 from September 9 - 14

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In 2014 Shakespeare in Italy held it's first summer school in Urbino in Le Marche, central Italy.

We recently changed the name to The Chronicle Theatre Company to reflect the fact that we are no longer based in Italy.

As a UK registered charity we offer scholarships for the summer course. Please apply for one if you are in financial difficulties and would like to join us.

Our 2025 summer school details will be available soon.

In March 2025 we will be running our first ever winter school. Michael Corbidge will lead workshops on As You Like It.

We hope you’ll join us at SCRUM Studios for three days of intensive exploration of this extraordinary play.

Dates: 5th-7th March, 2025, 10:00-17:00

Location: SCRUM Studios, 191 Talgarth Rd, Hammersmith, London W6 8BJ

Cost per day: £80

To register, or for more information, please contact info@chronicletc.org.uk.

As part of the launch of our winter school, we are also thrilled to announce the inaugural Julian Curry Bursary. Julian was one of the co-founders of The Chronicle Company, and he led a life dedicated to the theatre, and especially to Shakespeare. Julian made his professional debut walking on in Franco Zeffirelli’s production of Romeo and Juliet in 1961 at the Teatro La Fenice in Venice. During almost 60 years as an actor, he worked on stage in a wide variety of plays both classical and modern, for the RSC, the National Theatre and in London’s West End. His numerous Shakespeare roles included Angelo, Horatio, Macbeth, Polixenes, Lear’s Fool, Antonio in The Merchant of Venice, Oberon, York in Richard II, Malvolio, Cymbeline, Pandulph and Leontes.

The bursary will offer one prospective participant to take part in the winter school free of charge, and is available to drama school students, as well as to those whose opportunities to participate in theatre workshops would otherwise be limited. Applications for the bursary may be sent as part of a registration of interest in the winter school, and should briefly outline the applicant’s interest in participation, as well as their eligibility for the bursary.

Shakespeare belongs to everyone, and it is our hope that the Julian Curry Bursary will allow us to make make this a reality, at a time when connection, openness, and accessibility are more important than ever.

The Julian Curry Bursary has been made possible thanks to the generous support of the John Armitage Charitable Trust.

Feedback from participants on this year's course.

I don't feel I have any critical feedback that may be helpful to you.

What I do have is an openness within me, particularly in my pelvis, and a realisation that it is OK for me to step forward more..... because we're all learning. I've just got less experience behind me than others. And I can feel reason! Get your head around that one! Exhilarating is the word. I've never had a week like it! Never felt as comfortable being involved in anything you've organised as I did during these 6 days. Marilyn Homer

The summer school is my oxygen Mary. I am thankful to you and Naz for telling me about it. I am enjoying being part of the summer school each year. Chumki Mitra

I thought Bill and Michael complemented each other perfectly, particularly having them in that order. Textual study, followed by some of Michael's incredible insights into some key speeches. It was a good idea of his to take stock at the end of each day to allow us to take notes on what we'd covered in each session (and to take breath too!) You managed to get together some very accomplished participants, several of whom I'd not met before. And it became a very cohesive group. I hope many of them will be at Cagli next year. Simon Edginton

Thank you again for organising a truly inspiring week for us all. Bill & Michael were on top form and so it was a fantastic learning experience. Julia Holden.

Bill is very VERY good and I just loved the way he analyses each and every juncture of the play and then gets us to read, re read, act and re react! I have finally had the opportunity to attend a course run by Bill and I feel so exhilarated. Faisal Mohiuddin

Thank you for a fantastic 3 days with Bill Alexander. I loved Bill’s relaxed persona and the way he effortlessly guided the reading and visualisation of the scenes we worked on. He was so skilled at ensuring everyone had the same chance to read and participate. My dream is to have the same session in Italy next year! David Choules

What I especially like about Michael’s three days is we were on our feet most of the time. I really enjoy his physical approach to Shakespeare. Francis Cox

I truly feel so blessed! You have given me the confidence to go ahead with looking for an agent, and working towards the successful acting career I have always dreamed of, so thank you with all my heart!❤️

I am thoroughly looking forward to coming back next year, and joining you in your new theatre company ventures; I miss you already! Sacha Nitsche

Gloucester's eyes being gouged out - Lear summer school video