Monday Evening Readings
August 26, 2024
Introduction Workshop to the Michael Chekhov Acting Technique
The Michael Chekhov acting technique focuses on movement and imagination as sources of creative acting energy. Unlike traditional methods that often emphasize personal emotional experiences, Chekhov's approach encourages us to use our bodies as instruments, conveying our imagination into living, breathing characters on stage. Join this introductory workshop, where we'll experience basic tools of this powerful approach. Together, we will explore our bodies through movement, focusing on physical freedom and incorporating imagination into our performance. Note: While this is not a dance class and doesn't involve physical intensity, comfortable clothes allowing free movement are highly recommended.
September 2, 2024
“The Minutes” by Tracy Letts
Nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for Drama 2018 and the Tony Award for Best Play in 2022. The Minutes is a scathing new comedy about small-town politics and real-world power, from the author of “August: Osage County”. It takes a hard look at the inner workings of a city council meeting and the hypocrisy, greed and ambition that bubble to the surface when a newcomer to the small town of Big Cherry starts to ask the wrong questions. The play is structured as a mystery, with the new member wanting to know what has happened to the minutes of a previous meeting and why a potential whistleblower has disappeared.
September 9, 2024
NO READING - Public Holiday
Public holiday in Zurich - No reading
September 16, 2024
"Jake's Women" by Neil Simon
Jake, a novelist who is more successful with fiction than with life, faces a marital crisis by daydreaming about the women in his life. Jake's women include a revered first wife who was killed years earlier in an accident, his daughter who is recalled as a child but is now a young woman, his boisterous and bossy sister, an opinionated analyst, his current wife who is leaving Jake for another man, and a prospective third wife.
The Zurich English-Speaking Theatre meets almost every Monday evening for a play reading. Potential new members are always welcome - take a look at the reading details on this page for the next reading date. All meetings take place at St. Andrew's Community Centre, near Stadelhofen in central Zurich (see the map below). Doors open around 19:00 for an informal get-together and the reading starts at 19:30 unless otherwise stated. You don't need to sign up or inform us that you are coming, but if you have any questions, please contact us via the General Enquiries page.
Play readings are organised and read by members without rehearsal with scripts in hand and a basic set. Newcomers will not be initially asked to read, but if you'd like to get involved, talk to anyone on the committee and we will be glad to put you down on the reading list.
Monday readings are open to anyone and count towards your membership session count. For more information on membership, see the membership page.
Coronavirus
Following changes to the BAG restrictions, certificates will no longer be required to attend in-person events. Some venues still require us to wear masks despite the changes, which we must abide by. Please do not attend an event if you have COVID-like symptoms. Food and drink may be consumed again and wine will be provided again on Mondays in the coming weeks.