reading series

Throughout the summer months, the Villains gather together a group of readers and listeners to experience the full texts of early modern plays. Watch this space for info about our 2016 summer reading series.

Our readings are a way for emerging artists and people in the community to meet the company, read with us, and experience neglected early-modern texts. We are always open to suggestions as to which texts to read! Email info@villainstheatre.com to suggest a play or for more info.

Since April 2013, The Villain’s Theatre Upstart Crow Reading Series has provided Halifax actors and audiences with the opportunity to hear the beautiful, challenging, and neglected texts of Shakespeare’s peers read aloud in a relaxed environment. Hosted in the past by the Bus Stop Theatre and the Craig Gallery at Alderney Landing, this series allows members of the community to recommend plays they’d like to see produced by the company, as well as enabling our artistic team to hear (and potentially workshop) texts for future productions.

Past Upstart Crow readings have included The Changeling, The Tyrant (or, The Second Maiden’s Tragedy), Endymion (or, The Man in the Moon), A Fair Quarrel, Doctor Faustus, The Old Wives Tale, The Knight of the Burning Pestle, Arden of Faversham, Volpone, The Tamer Tamed, Women Beware Women, The Spanish Tragedy, and The Shoemaker’s Holiday.