CS:

94

Discovering Shakespeare - 'The Tempest' and 'Julius Caesar'

 

Were you put off Shakespeare at school or would you like to learn more about his plays but can't face them alone? Do you wonder just why Shakespeare retains his popularity four hundred years on? If so, come to read and explore two of the plays in a relaxed atmosphere with audio and video clips to illustrate them.

We will start the course by looking at the magical ‘The Tempest', one of Shakespeare's best known and loved works and Tuesday night's Gala performance, followed by, in apparent contrast, ‘Julius Caesar'. In fact, both plays explore power and the abuse and misuse of it. By using imaginary and historical settings Shakespeare was able to explore contemporary issues (royal succession and authority to name but two) without provoking the ire of the censor!

CS:

95

Lee Hall and the Billy Elliot Phenomenon

We seldom register the name of the writer who has written the screenplay for an oscar-winning film like Billy Elliot so you may not have heard of Lee Hall, who, in his early 40s is already a prolific playwright with a dazzling career ahead of him.

Remember Spoonface Steinberg back in 1997 that TV monologue which made such a deep impression or the Pitman Painters now in the West End and due to go to Broadway. During the course we will play-read, watch, listen to and discuss a selection of his best work.

Be in at the start of the new, national treasure, Lee Hall era. No previous knowledge is required but a willingness to enter into lively discussion and read with enthusiasm is essential.

CS:

96

Your Autobiography

Every life is interesting – you don’t have to be famous – everyone has a story to tell. One of the greatest gifts that you can pass on to your family is your account of your own journey through life with your unique thoughts and insights. We will explore different and enjoyable ways to stimulate you to remember and record what has happened and what has been of significance in your life so far. Autobiographical writing can be done at any stage of life and can be presented in many ways. This course aims to inspire you to find the detail that is the heart of your narrative.
Mary Corbett has been involved with oral history and life story writing since 1998 when with Ann Burke she produced Hatfield Voices, an oral history of people coming to Hatfield in the 50s and 60s. In 2000, with Lucy Gaskell, she set up her company Biograph, which specialises in writing, producing and publishing biographies.

CS:

97

Alan Bennett: His Family and other Anomalies

Alan Bennett's wonderful collection of tragic-comic characters have delighted television and stage audiences for the past forty years and he is arguably England's most popular playwright. During the course we will play-read or watch some of his best work, including: The Lady in the Van; A Question of Attribution; Talking Heads and The History Boys. We will also read from his new play The Habit of Art which is currently running at the National Theatre. No previous knowledge is required but a willingness to enter into lively discussions and read with enthusiasm is essential.

CS:

98

Artist's Books, Journals and Visual Diaries

You don't have to be an artist to make an artist's book!

An experimental workshop in which to be inspired by stories and visual documentation of memories and experiences relating to people and sense of place. Explore playful approaches and ideas for using text, photographs, drawings, collections of mixed materials found and/or made objects to create a journey between the pages of a unique 'one-off-book'.

CS:

99

Well Played!

I have chosen two entertaining plays for us to read together which I hope you will find interesting to compare and contrast: A Taste of Honey by Shelagh Delaney and Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw.

Both plays have a heroine living on the fringe of society but who, on the surface, could not be more different. Pygmalion has its light and frothy side but raises some interesting questions about class and the successes and pitfalls of taking someone out of their milieu. Many of you will be familiar with the story from having seen the 1964 film My Fair Lady starring Audrey Hepburn, Rex Harrison and Cecil Beaton's costumes.

A Taste of Honey, first performed in 1959 and filmed in 1961, fits into the ‘kitchen sink' genre, typifying the new realism popular at the time and seen as a refreshing change from the genteel settings of Coward and Rattigan.

We will look at the background to the plays and their authors to put them in context, supported by video clips from the films.

CS:

100

Further Introduction to Creative Writing

Each and every one of us is supposed to have at least one novel - or a short story - longing to get out. If you have never written before, or if you are an enthusiastic wordsmith, you will discover on this popular course how writing is a skill and not an art. We welcome complete beginners and those who want to return for a refresher. Over the week we will look at many different styles and genres, use a variety of stimuli for the imagination, try our hands at pastiche or parody and will definitely have some pieces of work with which to continue this rewarding pursuit and even try to publish.

CS:

101

Shakespeare the Poet

Shakespeare iscelebrated as a brilliant dramatist and consummate poet. We will explore some of theverse within the plays and discoverhow the language shapes our understandingof character and action.InRomeo and Juliet why does Romeo fail to recognise that Juliet is still alive? Why in Twelfth Night does Viola's speech to Olivia cause her to fall in love with her? We willalso study the sonnets about love, death, friendship, art and the universe. Whether you are familiar with poetry and/or Shakespeareor completely new to both, you willgain a greater appreciationof the plays at the same time as reading and hearing some of the finest poetry in the English language. NB there will be new texts covered this year.

CS:

102

Reading Group

In the Reading Group all the members read the same 10 books which are shown on the website. As usual the list covers a wide range of subjects and styles. We discuss 2 books each day, the pairs being randomly put together unless there is an obvious connection. Each year we find that members have very different ideas about certain books which makes for lively debates. We also find time for members to discuss their favourite books and to read aloud from the choices. We have a lot of fun as well as exercising our minds. Suggestions on what to look out for when reading a book for later discussion are on the website.

This is definitely a "joining-in” course and everyone has a chance to say their piece. Reserve your place early so you have plenty of time to read the books.

CS:

103

Writing for Children

How do you catch a young reader’s attention?  How do you hold it?  In a word, what makes children want to turn the page?  This practical course takes a critical look at many kinds of children’s books and gives you a chance to plan your own.  Whether you want to write or illustrate or both, the course tutor will help you to get started, keep your ideas flowing and work them into book-shape.