The 12 Plays of Christmas – Directory

Hello!  After compiling 12 plays from William Shakespeare and presenting them to you here, I hope you have enjoyed the reading over the last 12 days.  As you may be aware, I am traveling to London in July to perform at the Globe Theatre, so every play on the list this year is one from Shakespeare.  I am very excited about this.  (Though I still … Continue reading The 12 Plays of Christmas – Directory

The 12 Plays of Christmas – Day 12 – Twelfth Night

And thus we reach the last play in our list of the 12 Plays of Christmas.  Today is Twelfth Night, signaling the last day of winter, and Epiphany Eve, and work beginning again in the fields… so Twelfth Night is all about fun, and removing Christmas decorations.  The play “Twelfth Night” by William Shakespeare is all about fun. “Twelfth Night” is my favourite comedy.  It … Continue reading The 12 Plays of Christmas – Day 12 – Twelfth Night

The 12 Plays of Christmas – Day 11 – Henry VIII

Welcome to the 11th Play of Christmas.  Today we shall look at Shakespeare’s “Henry VIII”. Unusually, “Henry VIII” isn’t performed that often, which is a sad thing because it is a great play.  Following the story of Henry VIII through the end of his first marriage to Catherine of Aragon and his second marriage to Ann Boleyn.  The actual story is gripping, and adding the … Continue reading The 12 Plays of Christmas – Day 11 – Henry VIII

The 12 Plays of Christmas – Day 10 – The Merchant of Venice

Welcome to Day 10!  Traditionally January 3 is the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus. This remembers when Jesus was officially ‘named’ in the Jewish Temple. So what better choice of play than “The Merchant of Venice”. “The Merchant of Venice” centers around a few key players.  Portia, who needs to marry, is keen on Bassanio.  He however lacks money, so works on a … Continue reading The 12 Plays of Christmas – Day 10 – The Merchant of Venice

The 12 Plays of Christmas – Day 9 – Othello

Welcome to Day 9.  Traditionally the 9th day of Christmas is for the well-traveled saints… and who do we know who is well-traveled?  The Moor of Venice. Othello is a well crafted tragedy setting up the relationship between the Moor Othello, a general, and his fair wife, Desdemona.  It doesn’t help that they initially ran off in secret to get married, or that Othello overlooked … Continue reading The 12 Plays of Christmas – Day 9 – Othello