CEMS and the LSC explore how some of Shakespeare's best known plays have shifted and changed through their performance(s) in history.

3 Plays, 3 Days, 3 Events!

'Performance in History' is a series of conversations taking place over three evenings in June, bringing together doctoral and early career researchers to think about the ways in which some of Shakespeare's best known and most performed plays have shifted and changed through their performance(s) across history. 

Hosted by the London Shakespeare Centre (LSC) and the Centre for Early Modern Studies (CEMS), two parts of the Arts and Humanities Research Institute at King's College London.

The Dates

Tragedy (Macbeth): 7 June 2021, 6pm - 7.30pm BST

Comedy (A Midsummer Night's Dream): 8 June 2021, 6pm - 7.30pm BST

History (Richard III): 9 June 2021, 6pm - 7.30pm BST

The Format

Each event begins with a series of short presentations, where each panellist will introduce a single performance of the panel's designated play-text. Thereafter, the panel will reflect upon some of the questions raised by these (and other) performances as the play moves across languages, places, and periods. Audience members will be encouraged to contribute memories and responses during the final part of the event. 

The Panels

7 June: Macbeth 

Chair: Dr Nora Williams (Essex)

Panel: Eli Cumings (Cambridge), Wendy Lennon (Shakespeare Institute), Dr Romola Nuttall (KCL)

8 June: A Midsummer Night's Dream

Chair: Dr Koel Chatterjee (Trinity Laban)

Panel: Rowena Hawkins (KCL), Dr Elisabeth Lutteman (Uppsala), Jennifer Moss-Waghorn (Shakespeare Institute)

9 June: Richard III

Chair: Dr Sally Barnden (KCL)

Panel: Dr Hailey Bachrach (KCL), Rachel Chung (Edinburgh), Lucy Clarke (Oxford)

The Audience

The series brings together doctoral and early career researchers working in fields of English Literature, Comparative Literature, History, and Performance Studies. However, all members of the academy and the general public (including school students and parents) are encouraged to join us for this creative and informal series of conversations. 

The series will take place via Zoom.

If you have any questions or queries about any of the events, please contact either the LSC ([email protected]) or CEM