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
Donate
PayPal: paypal.me/robblarson
Venmo: @Robb-Larson
Upcoming events (2)
See all- Theatre In The Round Players: "Sanctuary City" ($5)Theatre in the Round, Minneapolis, MN
Thursday, May 8, 2025, 7:30 pm.
Theatre in the Round Players (TRP)
245 Cedar Ave S
Minneapolis MN 55454"Sanctuary City" by Martyna Majok
https://www.theatreintheround.org/sanctuary-cityJoin us for the final dress rehearsal of "Sanctuary City". The cost is $5.00 at the door. Cash preferred. NO LATE SEATING.
Play Description:
2001. The DREAM act is first proposed. The Twin Towers fall. In New Jersey, two teenagers forge a friendship that becomes a sanctuary. Both brought to America as children, G and B support each other through life’s harsh circumstances. When G becomes naturalized, she and B hatch a plan to marry so that he may legally remain in the country and pursue the future he imagines. But as time hurdles on and complications mount, their intertwined lives become tangled in the realities of love, longing, and belonging in an unwelcoming country.Run time: 1 hour, 40 minutes, including a 15 minute intermission
Content Warning: Mature Language, references to physical abuse and deportation. Best for ages 16+
At the box office you can get a voucher for a discount at the parking ramp of the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, 1500 Washington Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55454. The parking meters are not free at night.
There is always a small chance that a performance might be cancelled at the last minute, so call TRP that afternoon to check 612-333-3010, and also check Meetup messages for this event.
- “Henry V”Minneapolis Central Library, room N-202, Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis Central Library: Room N-202.
There is underground parking beneath the library, off 4th St. S., for about $5. Go in to the Library lobby and then in to the book stacks area. Take the elevator or stairs up to the 2nd floor, then go all the way to the left.
This is a discussion about the play, not a reading or showing of it.
SYNOPSIS (from the Folger Library)
• Henry V begins at the English court, where the young king is persuaded that he has a claim to the throne of France. When the French dauphin, or heir apparent, insults him by sending him tennis balls, Henry launches his military expedition to France.
• Before departing, Henry learns that three of his nobles have betrayed him, and he orders their execution. Meanwhile, his old tavern companions grieve over Sir John Falstaff’s death, and then leave for France.
• Henry and his army lay siege to the French town of Harfleur, which surrenders. The Princess of France, Katherine, starts to learn English, but the French nobles are sure of success against Henry. Instead, Henry’s forces win a great victory at Agincourt.
• After a brief return to England, Henry comes back to France to claim his rights and to set up his marriage to Princess Katherine. The play’s epilogue points out that Henry will die young and that England will as a result lose most of his French territories.FREE VIDEO PERFORMANCES (YOUTUBE)
• Film (Laurence Olivier) (1944)
• Film (Kenneth Branagh, Paul Scofield, Derek Jacobi, Ian Holm, Emma Thompson, and Judi Dench) (1989)LOCAL LIVE PERFORMANCE
• BRICK BY BRICK PLAYERS
Elision Playhouse, 6105 42nd Ave N, Crystal, MN
May 24, 2025 - one day, two shows only: matinee and eveningKANOPY APP
Download the free app. Then link your library account to it. This will allow you free access to many Shakespeare plays.VIDEO ARTICLE
• Tim Nance (NanceNotes and Narwhals): Shakespeare’s Henry VARTICLES
• Wikipedia: “Henry V”
• “About Shakespeare’s Henry V” by Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine
• “A Modern Perspective: Henry V” by Michael Neill
• SparkNotes: Henry V - Key Facts
• SparkNotes: Henry V - Full Play Summary
• SparkNotes: Henry V - Full Play Analysis
• Further Reading: Henry VGENERAL INFORMATION
• The Folger Shakespeare Library has free and paid (includes notes) downloadable texts of all of Shakespeare’s plays.
• The Folger Library: Shakespeare Documented has copies of original documents from Shakespeare’s time.
• PlayShakespeare: The Ultimate Free Shakespeare Research
• Podcast: “Approaching Shakespeare”
• SparkNotes 101: Shakespeare [Excellent synopses of all the plays.]
• Shakespeare After All by Marjorie Garber [Excellent analysis of all the plays.]FACEBOOK PAGES
• The Official William Shakespeare Page
• Shakespeare Study Group
• William Shakespeare: His Works and His WorldFORUM DISCUSSION
• Shakespeare Staging ProblemsAPP
• Shakespeare App
