A very interesting scene in three parts. Sadly what’s not interesting is this video – me screaming over traffic – is about all you’ll see in the above. Except, of course, Big Bad Oliver Cromwell perched above our proceedings – with the imposing and impressive Houses of Parliament as a backdrop. This is the [...]

Two Gents Act 2, Scene 2 – Westminster Abbey
A short 20 line scene in a lovely place. I was just here for the Royal Wedding and it’s much quieter here than it was a few weeks ago. The Abbey has a gorgeous exterior – intimate and ornate. I’ve never been inside – should have some good reason for coming back to London anyway. [...]

Two Gents Act 2, Scene 3 – Buckingham Palace
Funny thing about reading Shakespeare outside Buckingham Palace – the BBC may be watching you. So it happened today – after reading my scene, a reporter clearly out with his headphones and microphone to do some audio interviews, couldn’t resist asking me what in the world I was doing. We chatted for a bit about [...]

Two Gents Act 2, Scene 4 – Eiffel Tower
A gorgeous day with my family here in Paris. I’m here with my mother (who’s visiting Paris for the first time), my step-father’s brother John St. Mary and his family – his wife Daniela Pellaud-St. Mary and their children Colin (my 10 year old godson) and his little sister Anais. John and Daniela’s family live [...]
Two Gents Act 2, Scene 5 – outside Notre Dame Cathedral
Well this certainly felt odd. There are hundreds of people all throughout the square outside the Notre Dame Cathedral here in Paris. Many of them are lined up almost 50 yards back – about half of them are just standing there with nothing better to do than watch me, obviously an American tourist, spout this [...]
Two Gents Act 2, Scene 6 – inside Notre Dame!
Ok so this was the coolest moment in the whole thing so far, by far. Talk about serendipity. I’m traveling with my family and am not especially choosing great places to read – we are seeing the big sights and I am trying to do at least once scene everywhere we go along the way. [...]
Two Gents Act 2, Scene 7 – on the River Seine
Ah the Seine. What a gorgeous day to be doing all this. These boats that stop at the various touristy places we decided to take was pretty packed to the gills. It felt shameful to be doing this somewhere no one could escape from or turn a blind ear to. I tried not to be [...]
Twaet
PRESS
“…imaginitively deployed percussion instruments…”
“And Bill Barclay’s man-who-will-be-king continues right where it left off in “Part 1.” Thanks to Barclay’s multifaceted performance, we believe every step of Prince Hal’s transformation. Barclay looks as comfortable on the throne as he did during his frat-house shenanigans with Falstaff.”
“As Prince Harry, the always excellent Bill Barclay takes to heart Falstaff’s indecent tutelage, but over the course of the plays adds a Machiavellian twist, becoming increasingly cynical and power hungry – and thus more kingly. Barclay easily manages to convey both Harry the reckless and Harry the royal.”
“Barclay is charming, masterful with the poetry and clear in presenting Hal’s arch from a rebellious over-cocky gad-about to a young leader focused on honor and duty.”
“Barclay comes strongly into his own in “Part II,’’ especially during the reconciliation scene with Henry IV and during that chillingly inevitable moment when he repudiates Falstaff once and for all.”
“The most interesting of the lot is a fellow called the Bastard (a rollicking, driving turn by Bill Barclay)”
Complicated, bold, and charismatic, the Bastard is far more compelling than his uncle King John, and Barclay gives him all the energy and wit he needs to steal every scene he’s in.”
“Barclay transforms from rude and frolicsome youth and into lustful thrill-killer in a handful of heartbeats as he takes in Aaron’s exhortations to havoc – a slow, perverse grin creeps across his face, visually tracking his transformation from callow kid to remorseless predator.”
“Barclay displays exquisite comic timing.”
“Bill Barclay as the young composer shows his real life musical talent on the on-stage piano. The audience, meanwhile, was rolling in the aisles.”
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The Merchant of Stratford?!
April 2, 2013
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American Theatre magazine discovers Shakespeare Aloud!
March 10, 2013
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This is your Brain on Grants
February 13, 2013
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Henry IV part 1 Act II, Scene 3 at The English Restaurant
November 7, 2012
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Julius Caesar Act III, Scene 3 at the Folger Shakespeare Library
November 7, 2012
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Welcome!
NEWS: Bill is currently the Director of Music at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London.
He is proceeding with his reading of Shakespeare Aloud at a scenic trot rather than a gallop to accomodate this consuming new post.
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to Shakespeare Aloud -
the home of freelance actor, director, composer and sound designer Bill Barclay.
Shakespeare Aloud is Bill's project to read all of the Bard's works, out loud, in order, and in public, throughout 2011-2012 wherever he goes. Click around to find out much more about Bill's music, teaching, performances, special events, scholarship, and past works as well as this project.
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PLAYS READ ALOUD
CALENDAR
until late November... -
HAMLET on Tour
COMPOSER
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, London.
Directed by Bill Buckhurst & Dominic Dromgoole
until June, 2014...
Director of Music,
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.
MUSE ON FIRE: Shakespeare & The Music of the Spheres
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
Tuesday, February 12 at 7pm
Sackler Studios, Bankside











