Miranda Richardson performs readings from Harriet Walter's book 'She Speaks!', exploring Shakespeare's female characters through literature and music by Schubert, Verdi, and others.
On Sunday, 10 May, the Brighton Dome Concert Hall is hosting a production titled Shakespeare's Sisters, which brings together literature and classical music in a fairly unique way. The evening is built around the concept of Harriet Walter’s book, She Speaks!, a collection that reimagines the voices of Shakespeare’s female characters. The idea is to give more lines and depth to the women who often stood in the shadows of the leading men, exploring their perspectives as mothers, lovers, or even murderers. While Harriet Walter is the author of the source material, the readings for this performance will be delivered by Miranda Richardson. It’s a chance to hear these reimagined verses and consider the long-standing debate about whether Shakespeare’s portrayal of women was radically feminist or reflective of the sexism of his time.
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The literary side of the show is paired with a musical programme featuring soprano Sophie Bevan and pianist Christopher Glynn. They’ve curated a selection of songs that reflect how these iconic characters have influenced composers across different eras. The repertoire is quite varied, moving through works by Schubert, Vaughan Williams, and Haydn, as well as pieces by Verdi, Purcell, Berlioz, and Bernstein. There is also music by Madeleine Dring in the mix. The performance explores how these female archetypes—from the witches to the heroines—have been interpreted through sound over the last few hundred years, providing a musical counterpoint to the spoken narratives.
The event is scheduled for 19:30, making it a straightforward choice for a Sunday evening in the city. In terms of getting tickets, the standard price is £30, though there is a reduced rate of £20 available for those under 30. This makes it a bit more reachable for a younger audience interested in the intersection of theatre and classical performance. It’s a well-rounded programme for anyone who appreciates the history of the stage or simply wants to see how Miranda Richardson handles these modern takes on classic roles within the familiar setting of the Dome.
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