Acting Shakespeare

Public booking opens at 11am, Friday 4 July. Join our mailing list before Wednesday 2 July to receive priority booking.

Ages 18+

Course Dates & Times

Tuesday evenings on 23, 30 September, 7, 14, 21, 28* October 2025
7pm–9pm*
*The last session on 28 October will last 2.5 hours

About Acting Shakespeare

This six-week evening course for beginners will give you the tools you need to approach and perform Shakespeare with confidence. The course will unravel and demystify Shakespeare’s language through practical exercises, identifying key acting clues within the text.

The course is taught by Guildhall School alumni Mariah Gale, one of the UK's leading classical actors and a recipient of the Ian Charleston Award (First Prize), the Time Out Live Award and the Critic's Choice Award. 

Who is the course for?

• Anyone aged 18 and over interested in literature and acting who would like to discover more about playing Shakespeare.
• This course is a practical course. 

What can I expect?

You can expect to:

• Unravel and demystify Shakespeare's language
• Learn what golden clues for an actor lie within Shakespeare's verse
• Experience the classical actor's approach through breathing techniques, vocal exercises and practical text work
• Interact with like-minded enthusiasts in six fun sessions to brighten up your week

Do I need anything for the course?

• There will be required reading and a brief written exercise prior to the start of the course.
• You will be given optional homework (written and/or practical) of which completion is recommended to gain the most out of the course (about one hour per week).
• Attendance of all six sessions is recommended for your progression and for the benefit of the group as a whole.

Course Fee

£290

Public booking opens at 11am, Friday 4 July. Join our mailing list before Wednesday 2 July to receive priority booking.

Eligibility

• We welcome participants from all ages 18 and over
• No prior experience required 
• Fluent English language skills are essential to cope with course demands as you will be required to read and perform complex texts.

About the Course Tutor

The course is taught by Mariah Gale. 

Mariah Gale trained at Guildhall School of Music & Drama and is an Associate Artist at the Royal Shakespeare Company. She has an extensive acting CV performing both contemporary and classical leading roles at major institutions on stage and screen. She has directed the second year Shakespeare project at Guildhall School, where she is also a panellist.

Her roles have included Queen Margaret, Juliet and Ophelia at the Royal Shakespeare Company, Hero and Isabella at Shakespeare's Globe and Viola at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. She has performed Shakespeare for Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Charles.

Mariah was awarded the Laurence Olivier bursary whilst at Guildhall School. Other awards include the Ian Charleson Award (First Prize), the Time Out Live Award and the Critics' Choice Award, as well as a nomination for Best Actress with the Evening Standard and a Best Leading Actor nomination with the OFFIE Awards.

Her TV credits include The Great, Dr Who, Broadchurch, Death comes to Pemberley, New Tricks, Grantchester, Father Brown, Lucky Man, The Hollow Crown, Skins, The Diary of Anne Frank and Oliver Twist. Film includes Hamlet, Rare Beasts, Abraham's Point and Hercules 3D. Radio includes Brian Gulliver's Travels, seasons I and II.