Let me not to the marriage of true minds

Admit impediments. Love is not love

Which alters when it alteration finds…

Do Shakespeare’s sonnets provide a window into Shakespeare’s life? His work? His personality? His sex life?

Who knows?

But what we do know is that they offer great ways into working on his language. And into working on your own speaking voice.

From the moving (or the mundane?) ‘When in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes’, to the playful (or shameful?) ‘My mistress eyes are nothing like the sun’, to the ego (or phallo?) centric ‘Whoever hath her wish, thou hast thy Will’, they offer richly varied poetic tones and textures – and rhythms for the tongue to feel, speak and explore. And all in only fourteen lines.

Voice coach Matthew Collins will start the morning workshop with a vocal warm-up before leading participants into an exploration, using vocal exercises, of a selection from the 154 poems, first published as ‘Shakespeare’s Sonnets: Never before Imprinted’.

You don’t have to know anything about Shakespeare or poetry to enjoy this workshop. You don’t have to be theatrical. You don’t have to know anything about voicework. (And you don’t need to have done Matthew’s last Shakespeare sonnets workshop – as this one will explore different poems.)

Everyone is welcome – including under-16s, accompanied by a parent.

So, come and get your tongues around some Shakespeare sonnets – the perfect compact texts for vocal self-exploration. And learn about your own voice as you learn more about Shakespeare’s love poems.

The workshop lasts two and a half hours (including a short break during which mineral water will be supplied!) and runs from 10.30am to 1.00pm.

About the Group Leader

Matthew Collins

For 10 years Matthew Collins was a presenter on BBCtv’s The Travel Show. He also presented on This Morning; Wogan and Well Worth A Visit. He runs Shakespeare workshops in prisons, schools, and for the WI – as well as for corporate and private clients.

More info: www.matthewcollins.co.uk

Your Voice

Everyone has a true voice. But habits – from cultural, physical and psychological influences – sometimes conspire to conceal it.

Voice work aims to free the speaker from such impediments. It’s about regaining confidence to speak from the heart, just like we did as small children. Matthew’s voice classes are fun, educational, and life-enhancing – and powerful Shakespearean texts give the voice a rich, exciting world to explore.

Responses to Matthew’s Speaking Shakespeare Workshops:

‘Was that me? I’ve no idea where that voice came from’ – WI Member at Denman College

‘Active Shakespeare was much more fun than academic study and activities which required students to respond physically to the language are very clearly a winner’ – Teacher at The London Oratory School

Ticketing

Tickets are £25 per person