Please note, these sessions have been recorded from live courses and are available to watch flexibly in your own time up to 31st January 2025.

Join us for a festive follow-up to Simon’s Shakespeare Summer School! By popular request, the Learning Hub presents a week-long Christmas Course with Dr. Simon Gregor, exploring Shakespeare’s wonderful comedy, Twelfth Night. Over five consecutive days, we will dive into the magical world of Illyria: shipwreck, romance, cross-dressing, love rivalry, duels and even bright yellow stockings will all feature!

Each day focuses on one act of this five-act drama, allowing deep exploration of plot and themes. Simon will read key speeches, unravel their meanings, and discuss how Shakespeare intertwines plots to create engaging and often subversive comedy. Sessions begin with insights into key themes, fostering connections within the play and with other works by Shakespeare. Whether Shakespeare fills you with joy or trepidation, all are welcome to join us in making his plays accessible, enjoyable, and engaging.

This comprises of five 60 minute classes which took place in December 2024, which means we get to spend five hours on each play, and can work carefully and thoroughly through the drama. 

If you want to read along as we go, then you are welcome to do so, but there is no necessity to, so don’t worry if you don’t have copies of the plays; you can simply tune in, relax and listen if you prefer.  

So, whether you are a seasoned Shakespeare theatre-goer, or would just like to dip a toe back into the water after a less than appealing schooltime introduction to the subject, we hope you enjoy this Christmas Course.

Zoom recording links to view these sessions will be included at the bottom of your confirmation email after you have registered.