Shakespeare in Smethwick

The first printed book of Shakespeare’s works is coming to the Dorothy Parkes Centre, Church Road, Smethwick, B67 6EH, on Saturday 3 June, 11:00-4:00. An accompanying programme of events for the Visually Impaired has been funded by Bearwood Community Hub. If you fancy listening to an audio description of Shakespeare’s First Folio and why it’s important, joining a touch and feel of Elizabethan costume, participating in Tudor dancing, learning Shakespearean insults, or listening to the one-man King Lear play, your SVI schedule follows this extra information.

Shakespeare in Smethwick programme of events for SVI

11:00 Event Opens at Dorothy Parkes Community Centre, Church Road, B67 6EH

11:20 Audio description of the Shakespeare Port Folio including what it smells and feels like and why it is important to Birmingham by Sarah-Ann Cromwell.

12:00 Compose your own Shakespearian Insults with Rachel Green Drama! Visually Impaired accessible.

12:30 Touch and feel description of regal Elizabethan costume by Gloriana Living History’s Simon and Sally. Supported by Sarah-Ann Cromwell.

13:00 Gloriana Living History Dance with Simon and Sally. Join in with Tudor Dancing!

13:30 Hear the voice of actor Paul from Oddbodies Theatre before he performs a one-man KING LEAR. Includes a set description with Sarah-Ann Cromwell.

14:00-15:20 Oddbodies Theatre’s one-man KING LEAR. The play is not audio described but is written like a radio play for accessibility. It premiered to five star reviews at the 2019 Brighton Fringe Festival. Front row seats will be reserved for the visually impaired.

15:30-16:00 History of the Folio Talk with storyteller and Shakespearean nerd Lauren Jansen-Parkes.

Shakespeare in Smethwick is part of the University of Birmingham and Birmingham City Council’s Everything to Everybody project.

Please call Sandwell Visually Impaired office on 0121 525 4810 to register your interest.

Extra information

Dorothy Parkes does not have a car park.

Only on street parking is available.

There is a taxi drop off point.

The bus number 89 runs from West Bromwich to the side of Dorothy Parkes.

There is a cafe serving drinks, crisps and chocolate.

You are welcome to bring your own packed lunch.