15th January live, recording available online
A Bit Lit launched their new events and courses with this wonderful webinar about early modern theatre. Hosted by Andy Kesson and Jimmy Tucker, there was a very well-balanced mixture of academic research, performance and chat about life in 1600 – with, of course, Shakespeare himself (Ralph Bogard) turning up to compere.
The organisers ensured that the event was accessible, with BSL interpretation, onscreen captions and audio description available. The academics presenting did so with a welcoming and friendly atmosphere that meant viewers were more than willing to contribute to the online chat.
A charming and slightly batty opening section where Simon Russell Beale and Emma Smith imagined themselves on a theatre date in 1600 – Simon’s reaction to Emma wondering whether missing the first 10 minutes of the play would be that bad is priceless! – sets the tone for the event. Sarah Dustagheer, B.K. Adams and Elizabeth Tavares then discuss the impact of the acting companies setting up permanent playhouses on the area, the differences having a permanent base made to the companies themselves, and what sort of people would have attended the theatres. These brief but engaging talks are fantastic taster sessions to inspire and interest future learning.
Vox pops with Mark Hadfield, Katy Stephens and Michelle Tiwo giving authentic accounts from neighbours of misbehaving actors, continental visitors and god-fearing Londoners convinced that the theatre was the work of the devil are a delight, alongside a very dramatic Shakespearean weather forecast from Bea Webster (thunder is bad) and a weird and wonderful traffic report from Emma Frankland – the M25 isn’t really that bad, at least there aren’t bears!
Callan Davies and Heather Knight explored the Curtain playhouse virtually, with Heather explaining how her archaeological findings changed the way we viewed early modern theatres. Holly Dugan took us on a smell tour of early modern London – to make it immersive, a list of objects to have at hand is supplied – and the associations we have with various smells in modern times and 1600 was explored in a thought-provoking but thoroughly enjoyable way.
Audience votes decided how we got to the curtain and where to sit before director Stephen Purcell asked us to choose what sort of play the actors would improvise, along with the protagonist and title. The world premiere of the early modern tragicomedy “A Parliament of Bees” starring Small Ability was then screened, with further suggestions from the audience being adopted as the plot unfolded. Monica Gaga, Francesca Reid and Lisa Ronaghan delivered a political comedy (there was obviously wine and nibbles in the council meetings), with a ghost, unrequited love, murder, witches, bees and even some dodgy rhyming couplets that was ridiculous fun and a joyful way to end the stimulating event.
As an introduction to future events, A Day Out at Shakespeare’s Theatre is a brilliant beginning. The inclusivity, friendliness, enthusiasm and love for early modern theatre shines through and would encourage anyone to sign up for new courses and events.
A recording of A Day Out at Shakespeare’s Theatre is available for £15 by contacting [email protected]
For those interested in learning more about Shakespearean theatre, you can also join A Bit Lit for a 4-week course, How to Make an Elizabethan Theatre. Find out more and book your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-make-an-elizabethan-theatre-tickets-198132237857.