About Us
In the summer of 2017, we happened to read a book that describes how different rehearsals are now compared to Elizabethan England. Theatre records tell us that acting companies might have performed as many as 40 productions in a season and lines had to be learnt very differently with cue scripts.
We wanted to see what difference this could make to modern rehearsals, which are usually at least six weeks and so 60 Hour Shakespeare® was born. We have seen what this time constraint does to both the rehearsal and production process and how it elevates the creativity of the actors and team involved.
During the pandemic we brought three shows to the virtual stage, casting and directing a global ensemble, who have followed us back to England. We are now rehearsing and performing two productions a year in Reading's Abbey Ruins and Leamington Spa's Jephson Gardens.
Gavin Leigh
Artistic Director
Gavin created 60 Hour Shakespeare® to tell stories the way Shakespeare told them. His mild inspiration was the rehearsal time of Shakespeare's actors. He has directed eleven productions and trained through short acting and theatre courses at RADA, the RSC, Shakespeare's Globe, the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Hamlet (2010) - Reading University Drama Society
Romeo and Juliet (2013) - Reading University Drama Society
Much Ado About Nothing (2018) - 60 Hour Shakespeare®
Hamlet (2019) - 60 Hour Shakespeare®
A Midsummer Night's Dream (2020) - 60 Hour Shakespeare®
Richard II (2020) - 60 Hour Shakespeare®
Twelfth Night (2021) - 60 Hour Shakespeare®
Romeo and Juliet (2021) - 60 Hour Shakespeare®
Mercutio (2022) - 60 Hour Shakespeare®
Ophelia (2022) - 60 Hour Shakespeare®
As You Like It (2022) - 60 Hour Shakespeare®
Charlotte Cline
Producer
Charlotte joined 60 Hour Shakespeare in 2018 as a creative outlet and an opportunity to pursue a love for Shakespeare and the arts. She grew up in London and Connecticut where she’s been inspired by many wonderful and diverse productions of the bard’s work.
While her theatrical experience includes assistant directing Hamlet at University and playing Golde in Fiddler on the Roof, Charlotte’s real passion is bringing each performance to life and currently oversees production, marketing and costumes for 60 Hour Shakespeare.
Charlotte has a background in marketing and partnerships and currently works at IMG which is part of Endeavor Group and WME.