The Woman’s Prize: A Performance by The Playhouse Lab

Join an online, script-in-hand performance with The Playhouse Lab. Discover the drama of ‘The Woman’s Prize’ by John Fletcher during this unrehearsed, script-in-hand reading.

The School of English Playhouse Lab returns this year with a new programme of online, script-in-hand performances. 

The process is simple: roles and scripts are distributed among volunteers via email before assembling on Zoom in the evening. The play is then performed with no prior rehearsal. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly – everyone is welcome to attend, whether just to watch or to read a role. No previous experience is required. 

This performance will be a reading from John Fletcher’s ‘The Woman’s Prize’. The Brotherton Library recently acquired King Charles II’s copy of the Beaumont and Fletcher folio, in which ‘The Woman’s Prize’ features. 

Playhouse Lab coordinator Dr José Pérez Díez says, “‘The Woman’s Prize’, or ‘The Tamer Tamed’ (c. 1610) is John Fletcher’s witty response to Shakespeare’s ‘The Taming of the Shrew’. Petruccio, the wife-tamer, gets schooled by his new wife Maria. She is joined by a whole battalion of women who barricade themselves in her house, vowing not to share their beds with their husbands. It is a superbly entertaining comedy and an extraordinary vindication of female empowerment—not to mention that it is a much better play than Shakespeare’s prequel!” 

Book your free place via Eventbrite. 

Interested in taking part? To enquire about taking on a role please email The Playhouse Lab at playhouselab@gmail.com 

The event will end at approximately 20:30. The run time includes a 10-minute interval. 

This event will be hosted online on Zoom. The joining link will be sent to registered attendees one day before the start time.