Programme of autumn talks reveals the dramatic history of Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall - October 11 & 25, 2026

Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall is synonymous with the story of William Shakespeare, but the historic building also played an important role in the early development of professional theatre. As the site of Stratford-upon-Avon’s grammar school, it was a place where education and entertainment could collide. Two fascinating talks taking place in October by Dr Will Green (School of Advanced Study, University of London) are set to uncover the building’s rich theatrical heritage.

Audiences will first be taken back to the years before Stratford-upon-Avon’s most famous playwright rose to prominence, when touring players transformed the Guildhall into a local playhouse. Their presence was not without controversy, with local debates questioning the appropriateness of theatre in the town. Against a backdrop of power, patronage and plague, Will Green will explore the theatrical world of Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon and consider how these performances may have helped ignite the young writer’s imagination as he embarked on the creation of his early work.