Dates: April 19th, April 20th, April 21st
Location: Osmani Centre (Hall 2) 58 Underwood Road London E1 5AW
Time: 10.00 - 17.00

Owen Horsley worked on the epic RSC History Cycle of Richard II, Henry IV and Henry V and is experienced in breaking down the barriers surrounding Shakespeare’s History genre. He will be directing The War of the Roses at the RSC in early 2022.

Who is Richard II?

This three day workshop will explore Shakespeare's most lyrical play which depicts the dramatic fall of one of his best loved but most complex characters, Richard II.

This workshop is relevant to all and Richard can be played by anyone - regardless of gender.

During the workshop we will also be exploring Shakespeare's inspiration and source material for his play 'Thomas of Woodstock'. This anonymous play creates a new context and insight into the world of the play and the character of Richard. Over the course of the workshop everyone will be able to approach Richard from their own unique perspective as we discover just how mercurial and fascinating both the character and the play are. 

This will be a very practical, COVID SAFE workshop that engages with movement, ensemble work, scene and speech study. It will reveal new characters and material for future work and equip you with an approach to classical text that is immediate, useful and fun. 

A collection of scenes and speeches from the play will be provided a few days before the workshop,  but no learning required.

Day 1 – Verse and language work. Exploring Shakespeare's source 'Thomas of Woodstock'

Day 2 – Character Study – Analysis of a character scene by scene.

Day 3 – Movement into text and Scene work.  

Directing credits include Maydays by David Edgar (RSC), Hamlet (CSC, New York), Don Giovanni (LaMaMa, New York) Salome by Oscar Wilde (RSC) The Famous Victories of Henry V (RSC), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Garsington Opera), Henry V (Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre) and The Picture of Dorian Gray (Watermill Theatre).

Owen was Associate Director on the RSC King and Country Tour and worked with Artistic Director Gregory Doran on Richard II and Henry IV Part 1 and 2 and Henry V from 2013-16.

Owen is also an Associate Director for Cheek by Jowl. He was Assistant Director to Declan Donnellan on The Changeling (2006) Cymbeline (2007), Troilus and Cressida(2008), Macbeth (2009-11) and ‘Tis Pity she’s a Whore (2011-13) becoming Associate Director in 2010. Owen Co-Directed the 2013 Tour of Tis Pity.

Other directing credits include The Richard Project (American Academy), Alls Well That Ends Well (Stella Adler), The Two Noble Kinsmen (RWCMD) Outside on the Street (Edinburgh Fringe and Arcola) Antony and Cleopatra, Lysistrata, As you Like it (Guildhall School of Music and Drama), Edward II (St Andrew's Crypt),  See What I See (St Clements Mental Hospital) and The Duchess of Malfi (Southwark Playhouse and UK Tour).

Owen created Bard City in 2016, which offers Shakespeare training in New York and London as well as presenting innovative versions of his plays.

Owen works extensively Internationally. He has led workshops in Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, USA, China and France. Owen’s first Spanish production, The Malcontent, opened at the Almagro Festival in August 2011 before transferring to Madrid. 

PLEASE NOTE: As per our Terms and Conditions the cancellation period for this workshop is 7 working days.