Text and Theatre at Stratford upon Avon
from Joanne Walen Shaxpur@aol.com

The 2005 Shakespeare: Text and Theatre program at Stratford upon Avon is scheduled for Monday, July 4 to Saturday, July 9, 2005 (arrive Sunday, July 3, depart July 9 in the afternoon). I am "guesstimating" the price this year will be no more (and probably less) than last year's tariff of $1275. That price includes 6 nights' lodging in Bed and Breakfast guesthouses (including breakfast), tickets for 5 plays in Stratford, course cost, visits with RST actors, and a group cocktail hour and dinner.

The play schedule proposed is as follows (a nice mix of Shakespearean comedies, gunpowder plot plays, and a new play in The Other Place): A New Way to Please You (Middleton, Rowley, Philip Massinger), Midsummer Night's Dream, Twelfth Night, The American Pilot (the new play in TOP), and Sir Thomas More (Shakespeare, Munday, Chettle). The attendance at the plays is augmented by pre-performance lectures and post-performance discussions presented by resident Shakespeare scholars. Our study of the text and performance choices is further enhanced with visits by the RSC actors who come to our group as guest speakers and talk about their roles in the plays we see.

Final cost for the program will depend on the number of participants and the current rate of exchange. There is a minimum (and maximum) of 15 required for the course to make.

If you think you might be interested in taking part in this exciting venture, or if you would like further information, please contact Joanne Walen at StratfordUK2005@aol.com or at my home number 480-807-5114. I will keep you posted as the course takes shape, and you can make a final decision about attending when details are finalized.