Shakespeare's Bears: Animals in Shakespearean Drama

About

Saturday 11 November 2023 I 7pm - 9pm

Nottingham Contemporary

FREE Event - Please book your place via the BOOK NOW button above

Part of ''Being Human' - A Festival of Humanities

Picture Credit - Rob Brazier

Box Office Bears and 1623 Theatre are in pursuit of Shakespearean bears. Although we don't often connect Shakespeare and bears now, everyone in Tudor or Stuart England would have known or encountered a bear, and they made a few memorable cameos in the period’s drama. You may have heard about the bear sweeping across the stage in Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale: 'Exit pursued by a bear'. This event will stage and explore these kinds of moments in Shakespeare’s and his contemporaries’ plays, including a devil who disguises himself as a bear, an old man who turns into one, and a hero who attracts his girlfriend by showing off his ability to fight a bear.

Join the Box Office Bears team and actors from 1623 Theatre for a playful and thoughtful exploration of Shakespearean (and others’!) bears as we enter their play worlds, performed by, or as, a bear, returning to a time when bears fundamentally shaped popular entertainment during this period.

Access Info: 

Nottingham Contemporary is in an accessible building with lift access on all floors. There are two disabled toilets on the lowest floor, including a Changing Places toilet with a changing bed. Portable fold up stools are available to use on site, as are wheelchairs. Please ask at reception for more details. Children's and adult's ear defenders, coloured overlays and magnifiers are also available at our reception desk. Hearing loops are fitted in our reception and in The Space. They welcome guide- and hearing-dogs throughout the building, including the café space. Please contact the organiser for specific access requirements.

Accessible toilets, Assistance dogs welcome, Baby changing facilities, Hearing loop, Seating, Sensory friendly, Step-free access, Wheelchair accessible, Wheelchairs available