Unique Shakespeare Holidays
Hosted by A Place to Write at Bron Y Graig
Our Shakespeare Holidays
Our unique Shakespeare holidays give you the chance to discover and explore Shakespeare's plays in a way that suits you.
Typically running from 3-5 days in length, and focused on a specific genre of play (e.g. Tragedies, Comedies, Histories, Roman Plays) these all-inclusive residential holidays provide the opportunity for you to read, discuss, debate and learn about Shakespeare's drama and its historical context in a friendly and relaxed environment.
The first day begins with a welcome dinner and an introductory discussion exploring what Shakespeare means to us. After a great night's sleep in your own comfortable ensuite room, and a freshly cooked breakfast with a comprehensive choice of hot and cold foods, you'll head over to our converted stable block for one of our guided morning readings of a Shakespeare play. These informal, gently-paced sessions are a highlight with our guests, leading to friendly debate around the history, characters and themes of Shakespeare's drama.
With light refreshments on tap and a bespoke menu for every meal (that takes account of everyone's dietary needs), you can then settle back for a range of accompanying activities through the rest of each day. These include an interactive presentation on Shakespeare and Candlelight, from Dr. Nic Brownlie, workshops and interviews with professional practitioners whose projects have brought Shakespeare to life, and a streamed performance of one of the plays we have read.
In addition to the play related activities, you can also enjoy a stunning location overlooking the beautiful Dee Valley, an optional guided walk to our local iron-age hilltop fort, and the opportunity to create something inspired by Shakespeare while you're here.
By the end of the week you will have participated in group readings of up to three of Shakespeare's plays and learned new insights into each play's production, characters, plot, stage history, impact, and potential meanings. In addition, you will be able to explain how candlelight helped shape plays in the early modern theatre and will experience Shakespeare's texts, in readings and performances, with new knowledge of their construction and history and the ways in which contemporary practitioners continue to use them. And along the way you will have developed friendships with like-minded individuals whose own love of Shakespeare mirrors your own.
A great week of entertainment and discovery for anyone who loves Shakespeare - from actor to playgoer to novice to student to teacher. Come on your own or with a friend or partner, whether you're actively working with Shakespeare or are retired and seeking to re-engage, and take away a renewed love and appreciation of the drama.
What guests say about our Shakespeare Holidays:
'The holiday was a fabulous adventure and you don't need to be a Shakespeare expert!
- Julie R.
'The perfect holiday for those both new and well-read in Shakespeare. Just do it!'
- Emma H.
'I learned a lot. both formally and informally, and not just about Shakespeare'
- John S.
'The play readings bring clarity and insight, the workshops are really interesting and the approach is inclusive'
- Wendy G.
'The location is divine!'; 'It's stunning'; 'Beautiful'
- Various
A Place to Write