Winter Play Reading - November 2018

These enjoyable afternoons are great for anyone who wants to share in reading a script, read different character parts, or, if you prefer, simply listen to the reading and learn a little about the background to the play.  Sessions are led by Friends of The Swallow Theatre and are open to all.  They are free, and held in the Sumner Room at The Swallow Theatre.  Tea and coffee are provided.

The first play reading of this winter is on Sunday 18 November at 2pm when we’re venturing into Europe. Spanish drama from the “golden century” is quite different from the plays we are used to. Pedro Calderón (1600-1681), of the generation succeeding Cervantes, was one of the favourite playwrights of Philip IV. His writing is of a poetic quality which rivals Shakespeare’s, but lends itself to reading aloud, even in translation, especially as his dry humour is perhaps nearer to ours than Shakespeare’s! Calderón’s play, “Life is a Dream” deals not with religion, as might be expected of a Spanish work, but with philosophical ideas about reality - have we dreamt of something, or did it really happen? He also questions how far we have free will, or are we controlled by circumstances, or indeed other people? And can we reform and redeem ourselves? 

All welcome.  No need to book, just turn up.  If you have any questions, please call us on 01988 850368.

Further play readings are scheduled for Sunday 9 December, Sunday 13 January, Sunday 10 February and Sunday 10 March, all at 2pm.