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| The Melbourne Shakespeare Society is one of the oldest literary societies in Australia, having been in continuous existence since 1884. It has an active program which includes monthly meetings, and monthly readings of Shakespeare's plays and associated works. | ||
| General Meetings are usually held on the fourth Saturday of each month (excluding January). They feature an invited main speaker, often from the arts or academia, or sometimes a Society member speaks on one of their special interests. The talks may be illustrated by short prepared readings by members. As well, meetings may include musical items, book reports, sonnet readings and reports of Shakespearean related events. | ||
| Play Readings - The Society's Reading Group performs READINGS of the complete plays of William Shakespeare, in basic chronological order, on the second Saturday of each month (except January). In 2007 the group began a third reading of the complete Canon, over five years. The rehearsed readings are performed by Society members in the Ballrooom of the English Speaking Union, 146 Toorak Road West (between Punt & St Kilda Roads), South Yarra. Public transport access is by the Toorak Road tram or Punt Road bus. Rehearsals for Readings (first Saturday of the month) are notified by the Readings Convener (9525 4541) | ||
| Associated Readings of works which illuminate the Shakespearean Canon are interspersed with the Shakespeare plays throughout the year. These include Shakespeare's poems (eg The Rape of Lucrece), his contemporaries (eg The Massacre at Paris by Christopher Marlowe), classical drama (eg Menaechmi by Plautus), and modern plays for which Shakespeare is an essential reference point (eg Macbett by Eugene Ionesco). | ||
| The Society publishes a Newsletter, The Melbourne Shakespearean, with articles, poetry, reviews and reports of Shakespearean interest, which is available free to members and for sale to others. | ||
| There are very modest attendance fees at meetings and readings, and guests and new members are always welcome. For further information, contact the President or any others listed in the Contacts. | ||
| Items of Note
At our next meeting on Saturday May 24th, commencing at 2.00 pm Ann Blake will be speaking on King John.
Our next Reading, to be held on June 14th, is King John.
16th May - 1st June 2008 The Australian Shakespeare Company "will be moving indoors this autumn for the first time to present... Richard III UNHINGED"
29th May - 7th June STAGtheatre's next production is to be Romeo and Juliet - "A traditional production of this classic".
27th June to 12th July, 2008. The Malvern Theatre Company is to perform Julius Caesar - "With a specially commissioned original music score, this contemporary version of William Shakespeare's hard hitting drama of the manipulation of the political system for one's own ends finds new meaning in an Australian political context." Our own Len Lawrence will be acting in the part of Mark Antony and Lex Ross will also be making several appearances. Bell Shakespeare is currently presenting a production of Venus and Adonis. It is playing at the Malthouse Theatre, 113 Sturt Street, Southbank, from April 11th to May 4th. The Hartwell Players are planning an all-female version of Julius Caesar in October/November 2008. More details when they become available. Or keep watch at www.hartwellplayers.org.au We have now added our Rules of Association for the convenience of those members who want access to them. You will also find information about coming events in the theatre world in Melbourne if you go to Whitehat, the Melbourne happenings page (he also does a nice line in weekly newsletters!) Another interesting site to visit is www.bookandvolume.com.au. This is a 'virtual' bookshop based in country Victoria, which in addition to its wide range of books has a passion for things Shakespearean. There can be found information of events of all kinds to do with Shakespeare, his contemporaries and times. Our President, Jason Freddi, has his own website. It features his Shakespeare-related activities, his music and various bands. The latter includes 'The Swans of Avon' who perform Jason's renditions of Shakespeare's songs. Check it out on http://www.jasonfreddi.com DVDs, MP3s and CDs of recent Readings are available for a minimal cost. Anybody interested in obtaining one of these is invited to contact Paul Roebuck on 9525 4541.
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