Ian McKellen, Helen Mirren, Roger Allam, David Oyelowo and Jane Lapotaire have been confirmed for the second series of Talking Shakespeare, an online conversation hosted by the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Hosted by RSC artistic director Gregory Doran, the live event will run weekly on Mondays from 16 November until 14 December at 6PM. It is open to RSC subscribers, members and patrons.
The previous series of Talking Shakespeare featured Judi Dench, Ray Fearon, Harriet Walter, Patrick Stewart, Alexandra Gilbreath, David Tennant, Adjoa Andoh, Simon Russell Beale, Antony Sher, David Suchet, Juliet Stevenson and Paterson Joseph. It ran for 12 weeks, attracted supporters from 17 countries and raised more than £50,000 in donations.
Members, patrons and subscribers can also take advantage of a series of online talks and events which delve deeper into the RSC. On Wednesday 20 January, Doran will be joined by John Wyver, broadcast historian and producer of the RSC Live from Stratford-upon-Avon series, to discuss the challenges of adapting Shakespeare for the screen.
This will be followed by an exclusive screening of Julius Caesar on Thursday 21 January. Directed by Doran, this 2012 RSC production relocates Shakespeare's political thriller to contemporary Africa. The screening will be available from Thursday 21 January 2021 for a limited time.
On Thursday 4 February, Benet Brandreth will discuss his latest book, Shakespearean Rhetoric: A Practical Guide for Actors, Directors, Students and Teachers, delving into how his experience as a barrister compares with working in theatre.