This is a private bespoke course and not available to book

Of all the places to watch Othello, the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse is perhaps the best in the world. Think impossibly atmospheric and intimate candle lit splendour.

A candle lit Othello? The perfect way to appreciate the light and dark of this brutal, yet delicate play. Tingles down the spine sort of stuff.

There’s nothing like reading life changing poetic drama around a warm fire to make you grateful you’re not stuck on a heath in a storm with no clothes on! This is the sort of play that makes the ground shake beneath your feet. Come and get into it.

It honestly doesn’t really get much more exciting than this. A magic potion of one of Shakespeare’s most exciting tragedies, directed by a titan in the theatre world and starring one of the most famous and talented actors on the planet. Yes purleeeease.

This is a private bespoke course and not available to book

It honestly doesn’t really get much more exciting than this. A magic potion of one of Shakespeare’s most exciting tragedies, directed by a titan in the theatre world and starring one of the most famous and talented actors on the planet. Yes purleeeease.

This is a private bespoke course and not available to book

Now this one is a belter. Controversial? Oh certainly. Complex? Deeply. Funny? Very. Heartbreaking? Like you wouldn’t believe. Over the years The Merchant of Venice has been banned from teaching systems, performed by Nazis and translated into Yiddish. It has been embraced, rejected, used as a weapon and as a balm. Come and find out what you think.

This is a private bespoke course and not available to book

Hold onto your hats, because this one’s a biggie! One of Britain’s most experienced Shakespearean actors ever plays one of Shakespeare’s mightiest tragic heroes in the West End. This play is a change-the-way-you-think-about-the-world kind of play. A play that is transcendent and yet tender, a play that both roars and whispers, a play that takes you by the scruff of the neck and makes you feel the enormity of being alive. Come and find out what all the fuss is about.

One of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies. As You Like It whisks you off into the Forest of Arden for some tomfoolery and japes, but also, as ever, some musings on the human condition. Shakespeare takes his comedy very seriously. Come and see what we mean.

*Photo credit: Shakespeare’s Globe.

Photography: Johan Persson
Art Direction: Louise Richardson

This is a private bespoke course and not available to book

One of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies. As You Like It whisks you off into the Forest of Arden for some tomfoolery and japes, but also, as ever, some musings on the human condition. Shakespeare takes his comedy very seriously. Come and see what we mean.

*Photo credit: Shakespeare’s Globe.

Photography: Johan Persson
Art Direction: Louise Richardson

Whether or not you have ever read this play, you no doubt know some of the lines; "A pair of star crossed lovers”, “O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?” and will probably have some sort of balcony and Leonardo DiCaprio floating around your head. This is one of those plays that’s so famous it’s easy to miss quite how good and quite how radical it is. Come and challenge what you think you know about this spectacular tragedy.

This is a private bespoke course and not available to book

Iiiiit’s a classic! You probably performed in it at school, you know the story and the characters; lovers get mixed up, drugs, a goddess falls in love with an ass, sure, but do you really know what lies behind the laughter and mayhem? This magical play is endlessly underestimated. Come and peel back the layers and fully experience the depth of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. You’ll thank yourself.

*Photo credit: Shakespeare’s Globe.
Photography: Johan Persson
Art Direction: Irene Omodeo Zorini

This is a private bespoke course and not available to book

FWS is going adventuring! It’s only right and fitting for this Romance that nimbly crosses oceans and time. Come and be swept away by ancient kings, wicked step mothers, poison, not-poison, ill-advised wagers and some classic cross dressing from the comfort of Claire’s Islington home. Then we strike out to Shakey’s home town of Stratford Upon Avon to watch the RSC do what it does best.

Don’t know Cymbeline? You’re not the only one! This late play is not often studied and, relative to some of his blockbusters, is a rarely performed Shakespeare play. Come and be one the the clever few to appreciate its charms. Think ancient kings, wicked step mothers, poison, not-poison, adventure, rescue, long lost siblings and romance…it’s a goodie!

This is a private bespoke group and not available to book.

This is a private bespoke group and not available to book.

£287 includes 12 hours of guided reading with Claire Cartwright, plus recap notes and theatre ticket

Setting the scene: We’re back! Having been on one epic adventure (maternity leave) we’re ready to set sail again and explore this extraordinary play. In keeping with Othello’s predominantly nocturnal setting we will hunker down in the dark evenings in the coziest corner of the house with something delicious to sip on. We will read and explore this treasure trove of a play and discover why it has divided opinion again and again.

Othello has consistently been one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays. And for good reason. It’s complex, brutal, tender and everlastingly relevant. Come and make it one of the ones you know best.

We will read OTHELLO via ZOOM and then go to THE NATIONAL THEATRE to watch their production, starring GILES TERERA (Death of England: Face to Face), ROSY MCEWEN (The Alienist) and PAUL HILTON (The Inheritance), directed by CLINT DYER (Death of England: Parts 1, 2 and 3; Get Up Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical)

5 WEEK EVENING COURSE

£248 includes 10 hours of guided reading with Claire Cartwright, recap notes, food, drink and theatre tickets

Setting the scene: “I think the king is but a man, as I am: the violet smells to him as it doth to me” (Henry V). Come and smell the violets! We’ll be emerging from the long winter and into the violet infused Spring. There’ll still be a nip in the air so we’ll make sure you’re all snug in front of the fire with delicious food and drink. But there will be a fizzing sense of hope and regeneration in the air while we read this extraordinary play all about just that.

HENRY V - Is he the decisive and courageous leader everyone longs for, or is he a ruthless operator not to be trusted? Come and decide for yourself and be roused out of your seat by some of Shakespeare’s most magnificent work: “Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more…” anyone?! Obviously we say this about all of them, but this play really is very good!

We will read the HENRY V at Claire’s home in Islington and then watch THE DONMAR WAREHOUSE' production starring the glorious KIT HARRINGTON as Henry V, directed by MAX WEBSTER.

£210 includes 12 hours of guided reading with Claire Cartwright, plus recap notes.

Setting the scene: Right. New Year. Time to get stuck into something really meaty (figuratively, of course, you may have become vegan for 2022!). No need to leave the warmth and snug of your home - or even your bed if you don’t want! - You can wear your comfiest gear, have a cup of something warming by your side and settle into one of Shakespeare’s most extraordinary plays. It’s an excellent way to start the year.

Othello has consistently been one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays. And for good reason. It’s complex, brutal, tender and everlastingly relevant. Come and make it one of the ones you know best.

We will read OTHELLO via ZOOM and then watch THE RSC’s groundbreaking 2015 production starring HUGH QUARSHIE and LUCIAN MSAMATI, directed by IQBAL KHAN.

This is a private bespoke group and not available to book.

This is a private bespoke group and not available to book.

£155 includes 8 hours of guided reading with Claire Cartwright, recap notes and access to the online production

Setting the scene: Put on your comfiest clothes, make a hot cup of something delicious and settling into your coziest corner to read and be merry.

It is widely accepted that THE COMEDY OF ERRORS was Shakespeare’s offering for the Christmas celebrations at Grays Inn (for those lawyer types). So what better play to read as we wind into Christmas this year?

Displacement. Confusion. Reunion with loved ones you haven’t seen for aaaaages? Ah yes, we all know lots about that! Come and take a look at how Shakespeare finds the ridiculous in times of struggle.

We will read THE COMEDY OF ERRORS via ZOOM. We will then watch THE NATIONAL THEATRE’S hilarious production starring LENNY HENRY, CLAUDIE BLAKELEY and LUCIAN MSMATI directed by the fabulous, DOMINIC COOKE, via the National Theatre at Home streaming platform.

Tuesday, November 16th - Tuesday December 14th

£239 includes 8 hours of guided reading with Claire Cartwright, all food and drink, theatre ticket and recap notes.

Setting the scene: As the nights draw in you gather together with new friends and laugh merrily, eat, drink and warm your cockles by reading and understanding Shakespeare’s early comedy

It is widely accepted that THE COMEDY OF ERRORS was Shakespeare’s offering for the Christmas celebrations at Grays Inn (for those lawyer types). So what better play to read as we wind into Christmas this year?

Displacement. Confusion. Reunion with loved ones you haven’t seen for aaaaages? Ah yes, we all know lots about that! Come and take a look at how Shakespeare finds the ridiculous in times of struggle.

We will read THE COMEDY OF ERRORS at Claire’s home in Islington. We will then watch THE RSC’s magnificent production directed by comedy master, PHILLIP BREEN, at THE BARBICAN.