The RHUL Shakespeare Society has existed at Royal Holloway for many years and we are one of the oldest societies on campus! Part of the five RHUL Performing Arts Societies (RHULPAS), we dedicate 50% of our work to performance and 50% to academia.

 

Every year, the society puts on three plays that are entirely performed and produced by our members. At the end of each term, the committee invites students to form production teams and bid a concept for a Shakespeare play or a text written by one of his contemporaries - the winning team will put on their production the following term. Any student studying any degree at any level is welcome to bid, apart from the Summer Term when our bids are only open to First Year teams for the First Year Summer Production. Past productions have included an inspired German expressionistic Macbeth and Richard III, a post-apocalyptic Romeo and Juliet, a Bowie-infused 'Mods & Rockers' theme in Cymbeline, a comical The Tempest set in a 21st Century school and a company of removal men depicting Henry V.

 

In addition to our productions, we organise a range of events such as theatre trips, workshops with up-and-coming actors and directors, volunteering in the local area and relaxed socials with the PAS community. Each summer term we host our award winning Shakespeare Festival, featuring several days of events and activities rounded off by our signature trip to The Globe Theatre. We hold summer events such as T-Shirt Tie Dying Sessions with our 'I Like it Ruff' merchandise, Elizabethan Dance Workshops, Guest Lectures, Movie Nights, Cake Decorating, Shakespearean Sports Days, Costume & Drag Workshops, Movie Nights and much more!

Our main charity event takes place in the Spring Term. In past years, we organised The Merry Walk to Windsor and The Shakespeare Read-A-Thon which helped to raise more than £600 for our sponsored charities, Dramatize and War Child. Members pulled on their hiking boots for the 3 hour walk to Windsor Castle and braved the cold to read the complete works of our beloved Bard around the clock in less than 99 hours!

 

We aim to create opportunities for anyone with an interest in Shakespeare and to get involved with the society as much as possible. Whether you are already at Royal Holloway or joining in September, we would love to hear from you and know your thoughts and wishes about  what you want from your society! We always welcome feedback so please do contact any member of the committee with your thoughts and suggestions. Above all else, RHUL Shakespeare Society is a wonderful place for like minded people to spend time together and enjoy all things bardilicous!  

 

We very much look forward to seeing you soon!

 

RHUL Shakespeare Society Committee 2018-19