What we’re about
Twin Cities Shakespeare Readers meets once a month to discuss the plays of William Shakespeare, the greatest writer who ever lived. Our goal is to approach the wisdom, beauty and cognitive power of his poetry.
We meet at 6 PM on the last Monday of every month at Minneapolis Central Library in the Doty Board Room, room N-280.
The Doty Board Room, room N-280, is located on the second floor of the Minneapolis Central Library. Take the elevator or escalator up from the lobby to the second floor and go down the hallway to the left.
Audio performances of 2023 plays
Spotify: https://spotify.link/BxDcBu4hFCb
YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6f0Fq3KbiVLF3TceUXVClCn9YjlxjKqa&si=4AZzbvIrVhEP6gmv
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Venmo: @Robb-Larson
Upcoming events (1)
See all- Henry IV Part 2 & Henry VMinneapolis Central Library, 2nd Floor, Mary and David Doty Board Room, Minneapolis, MN
This spring the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis will be performing Shakespeare’s “Henriad”: Richard II, Henry IV parts 1 and 2 (as one play), and Henry V. In recognition of this, we will be discussing these plays at our March 25 and April 29 meetings.
At our March 25 meeting we discussed Richard II and Henry IV Part 1.
At our April 29 meeting we will discuss Henry IV Part 2 and Henry V.
"HENRIAD" SYNOPSIS
Richard II covers the last years (1398-1400) in the life of King Richard II. He is king due to his bloodline, which is supported by the Divine Right of Kings. He is challenged and deposed for the monarchy by Henry Bolingbroke, who will become King Henry IV. King Henry IV’s son, Prince Hal, will become King Henry V.Richard II asks the question: By what right are people king - divine authority or political acumen? The Henry IV plays introduce us to Shakespeare’s most famous comedic character: Sir John Falstaff. Henry IV is also viewed as the education of the king (Prince Hal, who will become Henry V).
Keep in mind that this is a discussion about the plays, not a reading or showing of them. If you would like to lead a discussion of a Shakespeare play, let us know!
PERFORMANCES OF RICHARD II
• Prospect Theatre Company (starring Ian McKellen and Timothy West) 1971
• English Shakespeare Company (starring Michael Pennington) 1990
• Directed by Charles Bouchard (starring Sebastian Chrispin) 2013
• Pelican Shakespeare Classics (audio only)PERFORMANCES OF HENRY IV (Adapted from Henry IV Part I and Part II)
• Brussels Shakespeare Society 2017PERFORMANCES OF HENRY V
• Film and Film (starring Laurence Olivier) 1944/1945
• English Shakespeare Company (starring Michael Pennington) 1990ARTICLES ABOUT RICHARD II
• Plot Summary
• Wikipedia: Shakespeare’s Play
• Wikipedia: Richard II of EnglandARTICLES ABOUT HENRY IV, PART 1
• WikipediaARTICLES ABOUT HENRY IV, PART 2
• WikipediaARTICLES ABOUT HENRY V
• WikipediaARTICLES ABOUT SHAKESPEARE’S "HENRIAD" (SECOND TETRALOGY)
Richard II, Henry IV Parts 1 and 2, Henry V:
• WikipediaGENERAL INFORMATION
• The Folger Shakespeare Library has free downloadable texts of all of Shakespeare's plays. Free versions do not have notes. Downloadable editions with notes cost about $5.
• The Folger Library: Shakespeare Documented has copies of original documents from Shakespeare’s time.
• “The Play’s The Thing” is an excellent free podcast discussion of Shakespeare’s plays.
