Movement for a Shakespeare Ensemble: Workshop with Ben Crystal

Ensemble + Movement: Shakespeare Workshop

with Ben Crystal

In this session we will focus on how the actor moves through space, both solo, in pairs, and as part of a greater ensemble.

Cost: Free For All, or Pay What You Can

We believe money should not be an obstacle to participation in the arts.

Rather than charge a fee, participants may make a financial contribution after the workshop only if they wish.

Book your ticket (choose Professional or Student), and if you'd like to pay something, cash and contactless gratefully accpted after the workshop.

Places are limited: if the tickets are all booked, please book one of the Waiting List tickets; we'll let you know if a space becomes free.

If you've booked a Professional / Student ticket, and you can't use it, please cancel it so someone else can take your place.

What to expect:

We will explore the power of ensemble and improvised stage movement.

Whether you're a seasoned actor or just starting out, this workshop promises to be an invigorating, fun, and enlightening experience.

Together we will establish rules of contact using intimacy direction guidelines, to create a safe space. Then we'll explore a handful of ensemble and movement exercises.

We seek to gently hold a focussed, informal, safe, honest, music-filled, play-fuelled space.

Participants will be invited to work barefoot, and in movement clothes. Please bring water, something warm to wear while we work on text, and something to write with. Please also have a speech or a sonnet learnt by heart, that you can work on by yourself while moving.

Participants are very welcome to use languages other than English.

Note: there will be a therapy assistance dog present in the workshop space.

Any questions, please drop us a line and say hello!:

LCR.Shakespeare@gmail.com

Precis for the LCR Shakespeare Workshop 2025 series:

Shakespeare's actors improvised their blocking, and raised their productions in 2-3 days. How did they do this?

This exciting workshop will be led by the internationally renowned actor, creative producer, and author, Ben Crystal, who has been developing the craft of 'quick-raising' Shakespeare plays around the world.

In 2023 he took 4 days to ready an Ensemble of Liverpool-based actors to perform over 36 scenes, one from every Shakespeare play, at the Shakespeare North Playhouse.

This workshop is the next in a series of exploratory sessions Ben has been leading in the LCR over 2025.

Who we are:

Ben Crystal is an actor, author, director, and creative producer.

He is an Associate Artist with the Shakespeare North Playhouse, and has curated for Shakespeare’s Globe, the BBC, the British Library, and the British Council.

He founded the www.PassioninPractice.com Ensemble, and is co-founder and curator of the international group www.theShakespeareEnsemble.com.

Since 2008, Ben has been developing the “quick-raise” process - creating professional productions of Shakespeare’s plays in 2-3 days, inspired by Shakespeare’s actors’ theatrical practice. www.bencrystal.com

Edie Crystal is Ben’s fully trained, legally accredited therapy assistance dog.

A Kooikerhondje, Edie is quiet, daft, & patient. She has worked with neurodiverse humans of all ages in schools & institutions around the world. She has performed in three professional Shakespeare productions, & has silently observed countless hours of rehearsals. She comes with her own ruff.