In summer of 2020 Imaginarium Theatre, the Shakespeare North Playhouse and Royal Shakespeare Company Voice and Text Coach (and Imaginarium patron) Michael Corbidge came together to create an exciting online opportunity for adults across the globe to get into a bathtub with William Shakespeare and immerse themselves in soapy bubbles of language, text and gold lame diphthongs!
The outcome was over 30 short films of ordinary people performing Shakespeare monologues with characters portrayed in quirky and unexpected ways, within a range of domestic and outdoor settings.
To watch some of last year’s films go to www.imaginariumtheatre.co.uk/bathtub-shakespeare.
Bathtub Shakespeare was such a success that Imaginarium are getting the hot tub fired up and Michael is readying to make a splash all over again. Imaginarium Theatre are inviting adults of all ages and experience to come and bubble up with Michael via an online course starting on Wednesday 17th March and running for 6 weeks from 7-8.30pm, with follow on 1-1 tutorials and online support
“After the success of last summer’s Bathtub Shakespeare, we are delighted to be working again with Michael Corbidge to offer this fantastic opportunity to the local and wider community. This past year has been so difficult for everyone, we wanted to bring some fun with an educational and joyful opportunity” Gaynor La Rocca, Artistic Director
“I had always wanted to understand Shakespeare more since I was at school, many years ago, and this course gave me the opportunity to do that in as easy environment, Michael’s delivery and knowledge was inspiring and to get to be instructed by someone from the RSC, well that was something I could not miss.” Patricia Hughes, Bathtub Shakespeare 2020 participant.
The Bathtub films will be released and promoted through press and media as part of a Summer of Shakespeare via Imaginarium Theatre, Shakespeare North Playhouse and Knowsley Council websites, YouTube channels and social media.
Imaginarium Theatre are a community theatre and arts company, led by a team of creative professionals who are committed to keeping opportunities like this accessible to all. In solidarity with all communities and creatives who have struggled over the past year, the course will be offered with as a pay-what-you-can course, with a suggested fee of £45.
To book a place on this year’s course go to www.imaginariumtheatre.co.uk/online For course enquiries contact Megan@imaginariumtheatre.co.uk
Imaginarium Theatre are also launching a brand new community project Tapestry of Tales
This project is designed to encouraging locals of all ages and skill level to pick up their sewing
needles and get crafting as part of The Imaginarium Big Community Sew.
Tapestry of Tales will offer the chance for people from the local community to develop and learn new skills including hand embroidery, quilting, couching and appliqué. With the first 6 weeks delivered online over Zoom, before meeting outdoors at Imaginarium’s community art s base in Prescot from June, participants will meet weekly to create 24 large textile panels which will form a stunning tapestry of Shakespeare’s stories and strange tales of Prescot. The completed tapestries will adorn the walls of Imaginarium Roundhouse, a brand new big top venue at Prescot’s Market Place. They will also be featured in an exhibition at the Shakespeare North Playhouse during the venue’s opening festivities planned for 2022.
The course will be led by Imaginarium Theatre’s Head of Costume, Jane Allen working with
Visual Artist and teacher Liz Shelbourne. Jane has designed costumes for the theatre’s touring
summer productions including ‘The Tempest’, ‘Treasure Island’ and ‘Romeo and Juliet’. Her
extraordinary creative skills have also appeare d in BBC productions such as ‘Gentleman Jack’
and ‘Peaky Blinders’ and can be seen in the upcoming Netflix series ‘The Irregulars’.
The online course is suitable for those with absolutely no experience, or those who are looking
to hone their techniques. Optional online support will continue alongside these final sessions
from the end of May. There is a registration fee of £10 which includes a starter pack,
comprising of: a base calico fabric, embroidery needles and thread, and a selection of wadding
and templates. Online workshops will be £3 per week across the 6 week course. Imaginarium
are also inviting more experienced sewers to join the live project and practice and hone their
skills by participating in this exciting community project!
To book a place on the Tapestry of Tales project please visit www.imaginariumtheatre.co.uk. For all course enquiries, please contact jane@imaginariumtheatre.co.uk
Imaginarium Theatre as part of their commitment to local grass roots artists, performers, and youth theatre, and in association with Shakespeare North Playhouse are working on a wide program of online and live events this summer in Knowsley and wider Merseyside. Visit their website and social media regularly to see what is coming next.