AHRC COLLABORATIVE DOCTORAL STUDENTSHIP: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Birmingham
Department Name: Department of English Literature
Abstract
The first stage of the study will look to site the project within the larger context of participation, cultural policy and amateur/professional productions in the UK in the 21st century. This could include exploration and analysis of the RSC's own Open Stages programme, as well as potentially looking at work such as York Theatre Royal's Mystery Plays, Slung Low and Sheffield Theatre's Camelot and National Theatre of Wales' The Passion which all use text's which could arguably be described as being connected to national identity as their starting point for productions combining professional and amateur performers.
The second stage will be shaped by the material generated through A Midsummer Night's Dream: A Play for the Nation exploring the connections between the RSC and regional amateur companies. This will include documentation and analysis of rehearsal, production and participation strategy, interviews with professional and amateur participants and regional venues, audience and critical responses and evaluation of stated aims and eventual outcomes. The study will seek to map the methodologies of the project, exploring how these might be applied subsequently, both by the RSC and by other national level productions.
The second stage will be shaped by the material generated through A Midsummer Night's Dream: A Play for the Nation exploring the connections between the RSC and regional amateur companies. This will include documentation and analysis of rehearsal, production and participation strategy, interviews with professional and amateur participants and regional venues, audience and critical responses and evaluation of stated aims and eventual outcomes. The study will seek to map the methodologies of the project, exploring how these might be applied subsequently, both by the RSC and by other national level productions.
| Description | Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Talk |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Talk for adult leisure learners, followed by questions and discussion. Reported that it enhanced their engagement with the production, including enquiries as to how they could participate in the RSC's work with amateur performers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Talk for Shakespeare Institute Postgraduates |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Two research seminars for postgraduate students, Shakespeare Institute, with questions and discussion afterwards. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018 |
| Description | Talk for UoB Undergraduates |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Part of panel talk for University of Birmingham undergraduates, prior to their attending RSC production. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |