Wolverhampton Grand Theatre is to partner Simon Fielder Productions in Bard Boot Camp, an initiative to explore the works of William Shakespeare.
Bard Boot Camp “aims to motivate and inspire sixth-form students studying the playwright through engagement with a live performance and a theatrical masterclass”.
The pilot scheme, which starts at Wolverhampton Grand on Thursday 18 June, will get under way with a performance of Hamlet: Cut to the Bone, a one-man version of Shakespeare’s tragedy, adapted by Simon Rae and performed by David Keller.
The performance will be followed by an interactive seminar led by Professor Michael Mangan of Loughborough University and an afternoon of Bard-focused “workouts”. They are open to any student studying English language, English literature, drama or theatre studies or performing arts at A-Level or equivalent.
Simon Fielder is a freelance theatre producer, actor, writer and musician. His professional career began with a part in the West End show Lennon and was followed by Buddy—The Buddy Holly Story both on tour and in the West End.
Simon Rae is a poet, biographer, playwright, novelist and broadcaster whose output has included a decade of topical poems for The Guardian, a biography of W G Grace and a number of playtexts, including two one-man shows.
David Keller has played leading roles including Iago in Othello, John Merrick in The Elephant Man and Dr Dysart in Equus.
Further information about Bard Boot Camp is available by e-mailing [email protected].