Hong Kong’s Shakespeare workshop to bring aspiring actors up to speed with the Bard
- The eight sessions organised by the Dove Tales Theatre Company aim to prepare amateur actors for auditions
- In particular, for upcoming Shakespeare in the Park performances, which are open for all to try out
Now an annual tradition, Shakespeare in the Park has proved a success in Hong Kong, where balmy spring temperatures make for an enjoyable evening outdoors, watching the city’s best amateur actors get their teeth into the Bard.
For anyone who fancies treading the boards themselves, an eight-week Shakespeare workshop series will have you reciting soliloquies and powering through poetry in no time.
Organised by the Dove Tales Theatre Company, Shakespeare in the Park is open for all to audition. However, nailing the delivery of centuries-old texts takes practice. After auditions for this year’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, performed in February, Dove Tales co-founder Ben Margalith decided to offer workshops to get aspiring actors up to speed.
“People who come with more experience will be able explore harder scenes. For those who aren’t so familiar, it’s a great chance to be introduced to the characters and classics of Shakespeare and explore new things,” says Margalith.
A typical session will involve vocal and movement warm-ups, studies of techniques, themes and monologues, performances and feedback, with the aim of breathing new life into the lines and bring each piece into the 21st century – no need to bring a skull and a feathered cap.
According to Margalith, the enduring appeal of Shakespeare is down to his knack for creating characters that are relatable, and his influence can still be felt throughout modern entertainment.
“It’s about human moments being expressed on stage,” Margalith says. “He had such a great eye for seeing how people naturally act, the awkwardness, the extremes, the passion people have. He used amazing poetry to crack open those moments and add flavour.”
Priced at HK$2,500 for eight sessions, Dove Tales’ Shakespeare course will be held on Thursdays, 7pm to 9pm, from November 14, for those aged 18 years and above. For more information and to sign up, email [email protected].
