“Verse - Back to Basics”

Rediscovering the Fundamentals of Shakespeare's Verse

Facilitator:  Madeleine Hyland (Actress and Director)


Zoom Workshop Schedule:

  • January 10, 2025
  • 3:30-4:30 PM EST (USA) / 8:30-9:30 PM (UK Time)

Madeleine Hyland

(Actress and Director)

Madeleine is currently appearing as Bianca in Tim Carroll’s production of Othello at the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), running from October 11th to November 23rd.


Whether you are new to Shakespeare or seeking a deeper understanding of the verse, this workshop with Madeleine Hyland is an excellent opportunity to reconnect with the basics and find new meaning in the words of the Bard. Come prepared to explore, learn, and engage with Shakespeare in a creative and supportive environment.


Madeleine Hyland, an actress and director with The Factory, known for its improvisational and multi-role Shakespeare productions, will be leading an engaging workshop on the fundamentals of Shakespearean verse. Madeleine has directed numerous productions and taught Shakespeare's works at prestigious institutions including Shakespeare's Globe, Central School of Speech and Drama, and various universities across the USA.


This Zoom session, titled "Verse - Back to Basics", offers a one-hour exploration into the core elements of Shakespeare’s verse. Ideal for both beginners and seasoned Shakespeare enthusiasts, the workshop focuses on understanding the basic structure and rhythm of the Bard's language, including iambic pentameter and its role in shaping character emotions and storytelling. Participants will explore how returning to the foundational elements can unlock a fresh, authentic connection to the text.


What to Expect from the Workshop:

  • Understanding Verse Structure: Dive into the building blocks of Shakespearean verse, focusing on rhythm, meter, and why they matter. Learn how the musicality of the text helps convey deeper emotional resonance.

  • Breaking Down Barriers: If you’ve ever found Shakespeare's language intimidating, Madeleine’s approach will help you overcome those barriers, making the verse accessible and less daunting. Her experience in ensemble productions brings a collaborative, supportive environment to the session.

  • Personal Connection: Discover how Shakespeare's verse can come alive in your voice. Madeleine will offer some simple exercises to unlock fresh, alive, moment-by-moment thinking, encouraging participants to genuinely find new ideas in the text every time they speak it.

  • Interactive Participation: Whether you choose to actively participate or observe, this Zoom workshop offers the opportunity to interact directly with Madeleine, receive personalized guidance, and explore techniques to make the language resonate personally and powerfully.

  • Community Engagement: Engage with a group of like-minded individuals who share a passion for Shakespeare. This workshop is not only a chance to learn but also to connect with others, share insights, and celebrate the beauty of Shakespeare’s verse.


Acting Credits:

  • Othello (2024): Stage - Role: Bianca, Company: RSC, Director: Tim Carroll
  • Macbeth (2018): Stage - Roles: Macbeth/Lady Macbeth, Company: Theatre Clwyd/The Factory, Director: Alex Hassell
  • Hamlet (2017): Stage - Role: Hamlet, Company: Actors from the London Stage (US Tour), Director: The Company
  • Wolf Hall Parts 1 & 2 (Broadway transfer) (2014): Stage - Role: Margery Seymour, Company: RSC, Playful, Director: Jeremy Herrin
  • Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies (2013): Stage - Role: Margery Seymour, Company: RSC, Playful, Director: Jeremy Herrin
  • Romeo and Juliet (2015): Stage - Role: Mercutio, Company: Serious Mischief, The Vaults Festival, Director: Marianne Oldham
  • A Midsummer Night's Dream (2014): Stage - Roles: Titania/Hippolyta, Company: Orchestre National de Lyon, Director: Tim Carroll
  • The Odyssey (2013): Stage - Role: Helen/Various, Company: Creation Theatre, Blackwell's Oxford, Director: Tim Carroll
  • The Seagull (2011): Stage- Role: The Bailiff’s Wife, Company: The Factory, Director: Tim Carroll
  • Hamlet (2012): Stage - Roles: Gertrude/Ophelia/Horatio, Company: The Factory, Bristol Old Vic, Rose Theatre, York Theatre Royal, Director: Tim Carroll


Directorial Work: Madeleine has directed numerous productions, including:

  • The Tempest (2024) and Welcome to Gaza (2024) Directed and produced fundraising reading of Peter Oswald’s play written with children in Gaza and the West Bank, The Factory/Tyger Tyger at the Willow Globe 
  • Antony & Cleopatra (2018): Directed and performed as Eros at Willow Globe with The Factory
  • Troylus and Cressida (2017): Directed and performed as Hector at Willow Globe with The Factory
  • The Winter's Tale at Fonact, Fontainebleau School of Acting
  • The Merchant of Venice for Reflect Productions at Lady Nafisa School


About Madeleine Hyland: Madeleine has worked extensively with The Royal Shakespeare Company, The Factory, and has contributed to numerous educational initiatives at institutions such as Shakespeare's Globe, Central School of Speech and Drama, and various universities across the USA. She has also directed productions like The Winter's Tale at Fonact and The Merchant of Venice at Lady Nafisa School for Reflect Productions. Her passion for ensemble productions in unpredictable spaces and her dedication to a collective, experimental process brings an energy to her teaching that is both inspiring and inclusive. Madeleine’s unique approach blends meticulous textual analysis with bold, courageous performance choices, making her workshops truly transformative.