The Marlowe Society

'A powerhouse of theatrical expertise' since 1907 (Sir Ian McKellen). Student society. These recordings were distributed around the world.

The Marlowe is one of Cambridge's most historic societies, which focuses to this day on producing high-quality, innovative student drama, as well as providing its members with the best possible foundation for entering the theatre industry. The Marlowe Society was founded in May Term 1907 by a group of students including Justin Brooke. It became famous at the time for its inception as a reaction ag

ainst the Victorian theatre tradition, reviving the presentation in Cambridge of plays by Christopher Marlowe and Shakespeare, which had not been performed since 1886. The society became dedicated to raising the standard of verse-speaking by actors, a tradition which has subsequently embroidered a rich history of steering Cambridge students into the world of professional theatre. Throughout its first century, the society has met with remarkable success as it has stayed true to its original philosophy, acting as a nursery of talent and reform. Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida was unperformed by actors and misunderstood by academics until The Marlowe Society's epoch-making production of 1922. In producing a series of plays by Webster and Ben Jonson, The Marlowe restored their work to the professional repertory. The same applied to our production of Marlowe’s Edward II in 1958; and in 1993 we staged Tamburlaine the Great (directed by Tim Supple) for the first time, in its original form, since the seventeenth century. Other notable productions include 1942's The Duchess of Malfi, which induced Peggy Ashcroft to take the part in the West End, with both productions directed by George Rylands; a White Devil and Measure for Measure which went to Berlin in 1948 in the air-lift as the Foreign Office’s cultural counter-attack to the Red Army Choir; John Barton’s Julius Caesar of 1952, which was acted with Elizabethan pronunciation; a Romeo and Juliet with Barton as Mercutio and Peter Hall as Tybalt which transferred to the Scala, where it was seen by Winston Churchill; Barton’s two parts of Henry IV with McKellen, Jacobi and a notable Falstaff by Clive Swift; the 1958 Edward II with Jacobi directed by Toby Robertson, which was broadcast by the BBC; Corin Redgrave’s production of Henry VI; Trevor Nunn’s Macbeth (1962), which transferred to a very large theatre in Newcastle; Griff Rhys Jones’s rumbustious production of Bartholomew Fair (1977); and Sam Mendes’s memorable Cyrano of 1988 starring Tom Hollander. In the 1950s, The Marlowe Society's achievements were recognised by the British Council, which commissioned us to record the complete, uncut canon of Shakespeare poems and plays in time for the Centennial of 1964, under the direction of George Rylands. The Observer described the recordings as 'the most important thing that has happened to [Shakespeare's] work since Heminges and Condell saw it through the press'. At present there are several strands to the Marlowe's policy. The Society was founded to explore the Jacobethan repertoire, at that date unknown to the stage. To enable the exploration there was an emphasis placed upon the necessary skills: verse-speaking, clarity and intelligence of direction and acting, the values of ensemble playing, and a corresponding lack of emphasis on scenic spectacle. Over the years this has generalised as an interest in drama that stretches beyond ordinary realism towards the challenging and imaginative. Something deriving directly from performing at the Arts Theatre since 1936 has been the introduction of a professional dimension to student theatre at Cambridge. The stimulus of this last has perhaps been the single most important explanation for the phenomenal success of Cambridge actors and directors in British theatre. The new century has brought with it new strands to the Marlowe's dedication to top quality drama, in the form of the promotion of new writing (including the successful Scriptlab series of workshops), and a venture launched in 2004, Directorslab - allowing students the chance to work with professional directors on topics relevant to the theatrical world of today - an opportunity rarely available outside of vocational training. Meanwhile, the Marlowe continues working to continue those traditions established decades ago - in 2007 the Society celebrated its centenary with a dinner auction hosted by Griff Rhys-Jones in Wilton's Music Hall and a production of Cymbeline by Trevor Nunn at the Cambridge Arts Theatre.

The Marlowe Society Committee, 2024-25 Applications Pack

10/10/2024

MARLOWE NEEDS YOU TO STEP UP!!
The Cambridge institutions of Showcase and Arts Show NEED students to step up and join Marlowe's committee! Or else the world as we know it may cease to exist...

So, please join the Marlowe Society committee? We still have the roles of Junior Treasurer, Showcase Officer, and Arts Show Officer open for the 24-25 committee.
The Marlowe Society is one of the oldest theatrical societies in Cambridge that bridges the gap between student and professional theatre, as well as being a funding body. The society has notable alumni such as Emma Thompson, Rachel Weisz Ian McKellen and Tom Hiddleston.
To apply to be on the Marlowe Society Committee, please send an email stating which role(s) you are interested in applying for to the Marlowe Society account ([email protected]) and your answers to the questions in the pack. Deadline for application is 5th October.
Roles Available:
• Arts Show Producer (x1)
• Showcase Producer (x1)

App Pack here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ht9VSaPmuUadfNLqKOjq7iH-VxyjZsd0JsPK7xB64lI/edit?fbclid=IwY2xjawF0kFtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHd61CPvm7wx-rYT-X1AzLjgZzbkyaL9qIG7KsrJ9fY5b75pAGXI-8qsj7w_aem_QXMG-HeKoWwDhZVb7xF5Rw&tab=t.0

The Marlowe Society Committee, 2024-25 Applications Pack The Marlowe Society Committee, 2024-25 Applications Pack Hi, we are looking for individuals to fill the roles of Junior Treasurer, Arts Show Officer, and Showcase Officer. If you have any questions about roles, or would like to speak to the outgoing officers, email us at themarlowesociety@gma...

Marlowe Society Committee Application Pack 24

11/05/2024

****APPLICATIONS have been EXTENDED for the following roles****
Secretary
Junior Treasurer
Showcase Producer
Arts Show Producer
Until 23:59 on 17th May

Find out more here:

Marlowe Society Committee Application Pack 24

02/05/2024

COMMITTEE APPLICATIONS
Applications are now OPEN for committee 2024-25!
We are looking for a whole host of roles so read in the pack to see which fits you!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IEnlrHvBiDRfUuVYuZDQOndTCwBdcGShVK0x86-iCQg/edit?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2mpUWVOtrhZwv4CeI7kzs85LQBqCFrTA6y3WHp-6zfroJws_SQUp0hhY8_aem_AeYbT79rbuP5pu1w-3GkI7yyKQK9QSdpSWVIBtQ0xnFfH_BNF1-dGrcsJ64wB96snJC2q0nJDUUcRHwbn72unCfW

Marlowe Society Committee Application Pack 24

26/03/2024

The Marlowe Society is looking for a Co-President!

Marlowe needs a co-president to run 2024-25 with the incoming Lucy Miller!

Responsibilities include:

Presidential responsibilities:
- Liaising with Marlowe fellows on the society's business, including making them aware of meetings and minutes
- Running fortnightly committee meetings and overseeing business of the society
- Being the primary organisers of the stand at the freshers' fair, including purchasing the stall, printing termcards and manning the stall.
- Overseeing publicity and helping the comms officer in managing social medias
- Delegating jobs (managing the archives, writing the newsletter, running scratch nights) to committee and overseeing that they get done
- Being prepared to step in as associate producer on Showcase, Arts Show, BME Shakespeare
- Liaising with treasurer on opening funding applications and funding shows
- Judging The Other Prize in conjunction with Churchill college
- Being responsive to feedback on shows such as Showcase and Arts Show and ensuring our interactions with the professional world maintain the reputation of the society
- Liaising with the treasurer to do the yearly accounts and register as a university society, including updating the constitution

This is a fabulous opportunity to be in contact with the professional theatrical world and make a mark on student theatre!
If you nominate yourself, you will be voted on by current committee.

Nominate yourself here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSepRi20qPDRAOXLnQG05hF3U7qKXExDA6TFNAHZRLoqXfeiZQ/viewform

Deadline midnight 3rd April!

Nominations for President Fill this in with your details to put yourself forward for president 2024-25! Presidential responsibilities: - Liaising with Tim, Keith and other Marlowe fellows on the society's business, including making them aware of meetings and minutes - Running fortnightly committee meetings and overseeing bus...

18/02/2024

Now is the time to grab DISCOUNT TICKETS to BME Shakespeare: Antony and Cleopatra!
£9 tickets for opening night are available through this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSexZcid-4rG1Jd0VW-yBej49KoMrvA8gPSmpzAagF5m--zEhw/viewform?usp=sf_link

Bring your friends and family along to see this brilliant production!

31/01/2024

Romeo and Juliet opens TODAY at Cambridge Arts Theatre. Here’s a sneak peak at some tech rehearsal shots. Tickets can be found here: https://www.cambridgeartstheatre.com/whats-on/romeo-and-juliet-0

📸 Paul Ashley

Photos from Arts Theatre Cambridge's post

30/01/2024

The Marlowe Arts Show opens tomorrow! Grab your tickets now.

14/01/2024

We are thrilled to announce that we are supporting new writing this term, in the form of Skylines, a new play by Isabella Bottle.

"Archie won’t use the lift. Lily draws on her Underground map. Everyone is afraid of heights and the future is vertical.

It is London between the wars and Archie and Lily have recently moved into one of the city’s first ‘skyscrapers’. Amongst the changing skyline, seen from above and traversed using the Underground network below, the two navigate an existence which places them increasingly further into the sky and deeper into the ground. 'Skylines' maps the attempts of ordinary people to come to terms with both the distance and closeness of their newly vertical lives and what it means to confront the future in a world where everything seems suspended."

Grab your tickets here: https://www.adctheatre.com/whats-on/play/skylines/

21/11/2023

Thank you to everyone who came to our Hatch night for new writing last night! We have another Hatch night in Lent at the corpus playroom, so do keep your eyes peeled for that!

14/11/2023

Sign up now to the Hannah Miller workshop we’re doing in collocation with CUADC!
Saturday 25th November
1:00pm-3:00pm

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdVrOFirHfyHzRZPglZrc0f-WQL95Ymdig5SEQMJkU3UNl03Q/viewform?fbclid=IwAR14oQKeBFj_O3c1CadgRlv5P2BdDo1zkK1OIeAirIlrLajWJMMFh_DvXUw_aem_AYxpKVdgOB5vqe6hzi39WBRs7-T-4mC53BlkEUMgRSKGuQKiOUvyZDTpwUnmGnGSFGw

Hannah was the Head of Casting at the RSC from 2008-2022 and the Deputy from 2003-2005. She was also Casting Assistant at the National Theatre, Casting Director for the Birmingham Rep and now works as a freelance Casting Director. Recently working for the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester on productions of Great Expectations and Brief Encounter, and My Neighbour Totoro for the RSC. Hannah works with drama schools and other industry organisations, advising actors on professional development, resilience and demystifying casting including directing the 2023 ArtsEd Actors final year showcase. She continues to work with the RSC's Learning and National Partnerships team as a practitioner, is a Trustee of both Northampton Theatres Trust and Tamasha, a member of the Casting Directors’ Guild, a fellow of the RSA and RSC Associate Artist. CASTING A-Z with Hannah Miller CDG. It's day one of rehearsals and a company of actors are eager to start work. How did you get here? What does it mean to cast a production? What do you have to think about? What conversations come up? How do you make it happen? In this interactive session for anyone intrigued by what really goes on during a casting process Hannah will answer these questions and more for actors, directors, writers, producers and casting directors.

Hannah Miller Casting Workshop Sign-Up Please indicate interest in this free interactive casting workshop, taking place 1pm-3pm on the Saturday 25th November! We encourage actors, directors, producers and anyone else interested in both sides of the casting process, from ex-RSC casting director Hannah Miller! We are so excited to see you....

HATCH Michaelmas 2023 - Audition/Production Pack

14/11/2023

HATCH MICHAELMAS 2023 is looking for DIRECTORS and PERFORMERS to bring 8 new pieces of writing to life in this very low-stakes, low-commitment night of new writing. All we ask of our performers and director is that they approach these pieces of writing sensitively and generously, and that they commit to 2-3 hours of rehearsal prior to the performance itself.

Hatch is a collage of eight new scenes and scripts from up-and-coming Cambridge writers. It premieres on Monday, November 20th at 7pm in Downing JCR!

DEADLINE TO EXPRESS INTEREST IS THIS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16th, 2359H!!

HATCH Michaelmas 2023 - Audition/Production Pack The Marlowe Society’s seminal night of new student writing returns once more, just in time for Bridgemas… and we need actors! And some directors! Hatch Michaelmas ‘23 is a collage of eight new scenes and scripts from up-and-coming Cambridge writers. It premieres on Monday, November 20th at 7pm...

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http://www.themarlowesociety.com/

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