The Shakespeare Group, The Shakespeare Study Group, The Shakespeare Class, The Group, Shaklovers:
The Shakespeare Group by any other name is still a fabulous perennial, an assemblage of retirees reading and celebrating the Bard on Wednesday mornings.
Over ten years. Longer actually, if one counts the years of original lectures given by George Steiner in an over-stuffed auditorium at the University of Geneva.
"Prof. George Steiner used to give a course on Shakespeare’s plays during the winter term at the University of Geneva. He was brilliant but refused to use a microphone and so you had to be ready to dash in and get in one of the front rows. The hall was always packed, almost entirely by áuditeurs’ of the third age," recalls Aamir Ali.
If they were 'troisième age' over ten years ago---do the math: the average age is over 75, and some members have been well into their nineties.
When Steiner left Geneva for Oxford in the nineteen-nineties there was a cultural void. A colleague suggested Aamir carry on and give a course himself.
"Of course not," said Aamir "there's no way I could even try."
The first meeting took place on 12 September 2001 (the day after the 9/11 disaster).
Friends and colleagues and Steiner survivors began gathering weekly to read aloud and discuss a play in depth, with Aamir Ali as respected teacher and coordinator, and active, at times vociferous participation of members.
The members bring different nationalities and cultural backgrounds to the table. Some grew up reading Shakespeare in other languages; some read classics at Oxford; some can name all the kings and queens of England; others have directed and acted in Shakespeare plays; one still calls up his ancient Greek, and all of us love the continuing thrill of Shakespeare's rich poetry and drama.
The Group started with Macbeth, followed by Julius Caesar, Hamlet, The Merchant of Venice, Othello, Antony and Cleopatra, King Lear, Twelfth Night, Romeo and Juliet and Coriolanus.
We await the upcoming release of the film Coriolanus starring Ralph Fiennes for a 21st century take on one of the stranger and more intriguing plays; it may fall short of great, but remains painfully relevant.
Members produce (excellent) essays on Shakespeare themes of their choice. For the last few years, the Group has regularly
contributed a feature on a Shakespearean subject to the AAFI-AFICS Bulletin. We have our own library of Shakespeare books, videos and DVDs at the ILO.
As Aamir puts it:
"The purpose of the Group is not to qualify for any
diploma or certificate or pass any tests; it is to learn from each other and to
enjoy ourselves. Which we do."
And continue to do.
In September we're off and running with The Tempest.
In September we're off and running with The Tempest.
