Shakespeare: King John and Richard II

Troublesome Reigns – King John and Richard II Foreshadowing the later tragedy of King Lear, these two history plays also feature an evil schemer dubbed “the Bastard” and a tragic abdication. Both likely written around the same time as each other, King John and Richard II are prequels to Shakespeare’s other eight histories about English kings. Flawed and unheroic, Richard and John hold tenuous grasps on their thrones and are ultimately undermined and overthrown. Shakespeare presents competing claims to rule on moral and legal grounds, and relishes in the human and social aspects of power. John is threatened by France and family, and Richard is threatened by cousins and courtiers. Shakespeare even rewrites history to make for more tragic endings: John is poisoned and Richard is stabbed! Well, maybe not more tragic, but certainly more dramatic. John actually died from diarrhoea and Richard snuffed it from starvation. How’s that for horrible histories? “Heaven take my soul, and England keep my bones!” “I wasted time, and now doth time waste me.” These practical and playful sessions explore Shakespeare’s timeless works. Running the gamut of human experience from tragic to comic, you’ll get to perform speeches and scenes, explore stories and history, and discuss the profound questions posed by a writer who might just be both the greatest and most popular of all time. Sessions are taught by professional actor Charlie Sturgeon, 2018 MA Acting (Classical) graduate of the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama, leading man of the Australian Shakespeare Company 2013-17 and of course host of our own improv and chatterbox courses.

Cancellation Policy

Classes or Courses can be cancelled up to 24 hours before the start time. We cannot refund for missed individual sessions within a course. Classes or courses cancelled by P4HE or GIFT will be refunded as soon as practically possible.

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