Ken Dodd to Lead RSC’s Series About Shakespeare’s Comedies

By James Inverne
August 8, 2005

A clutch of British comedy’s leading lights are heading to Stratford-Upon Avon for a series celebrating Shakespeare the humorist.

Ken Dodd, Alan Plater and Armando Iannucci are among those taking part in what the Royal Shakespeare Company, hosting the series, has called “The RSC Laugh-In.”

The program, which coincides with a season focused around the Shakespeare comedies, includes
“The Comedy of Madness” (Sept. 21) RSC actors Guy Henry and Richard Cordery are joined by comedian Simon Greenall and mental health charity worker Sophie Corlett to discuss lunacy as a source of laughter.

Ken Dodd, best known as one of Britain’s most popular comics, has appeared in such Shakespeare plays as Twelfth Night in Liverpool (as Malvolio) and Kenneth Branagh’s film version of Hamlet (as Yorick). He gives a talk on humor and comedy technique on Sept. 21.

“Time to Laugh” (Sept. 21) Armando Iannucci, a leading satirist best known for co-writing the enormously successful “Alan Partridge” TV shows, hosts a debate about comic timing. On the panel are Ken Dodd, Carol Rutter and Michael Hodges.

Alan Plater in Conversation (Sept. 22) Time Out writer Michael Hodges talks to the comedy writer Alan Plater about his life and work.

“How Language Makes Us Laugh” (Sept. 23) RSC voice and language expert Cicely Berry works with actors in a practical demonstration of how Shakespeare’s text and timing can be funny.

“Out of the Woods” (Sept. 24) Designer Tom Piper, architect Ian Ritchie, RSC actors and Adam Sampson of the charity Shelter discuss where Shakespeare might send his characters today for their “magical exiles.”

There are plenty more events, including cabarets, workshops and, of course, performances of some of the plays. For more information, visit www.rsc.org.uk or call (0)870 609 1110.