Classical acting: making Shakespeare real and relevant
A masterclass with Katy Stephens
Katy is one of the UK’s leading classical actors, having worked extensively with the RSC and more recently with the National Theatre. At Tobacco Factory Theatres she memorably played Emilia in Othello (2017), Lady Macbeth in Macbeth (2018) and Beatrice in A View From the Bridge (2018).
In Katy’s words: “When I arrived at the RSC to play Queen Margaret in the Histories CycIe I had very little experience of Shakespeare and I was terrified. All those long speeches…. a baptism of fire.
But I was lucky, I worked with John Barton, Cecily Berry, Alison Bomber, Lyn Darnley and of course Michael Boyd… who gave me invaluable advice and support on approaching those long speeches and huge characters. Advice and support I would like to share with you.”
Our New Masterclasses Programme
Katy’s masterclass series is part of an expanding programme at Tobacco Factory Theatres.
Our theatre owes so much to freelance and independent artists, who have created almost everything we’ve presented over the last 20 years. These exceptionally talented and professional colleagues have been confronted with huge challenges through Covid-19, whilst on the whole receiving far less support than venues.
Last year we partnered with The Cube Microplex to distribute hardship grants to local artists with acute financial difficulties, funded by The Gane Trust.
This year, whilst we continue to work on our long-term survival, we aim to support local artists in new and varied ways.
The first initiative is our Masterclasses Programme, designed for South West-based professional artists, and led by a range of inspiring practitioners.
- AGE RECOMMENDATION18+
Every Thursday from Thu 25 February – Thu 18 March online on Zoom.
There will be four group sessions plus 1 to 1 work. The first session will be from 11am – 1pm on Thu 25 February. Subsequent sessions will be scheduled in response to participant availability, offering multiple options.
Pay What You Choose – pay £12, £20, £48, £80 for all Katy Stephens sessions. Whatever you feel able to spend, session leaders will be fully paid for their work.
Max 10 participants
Masterclasses are first available to book for our Artist Members, who receive a priority booking period of 3 days from Thu 04 February.
It is free to become an Artist Member, and you can do so by emailing an introduction of yourself, where you live and your practice to artists@tobaccofactorytheatres.com
If you require captioning or BSL interpretation of the sessions, or have any other access needs, please let us know.
