Shakespeare takes centre stage with Alex Waldmann visit

Students and staff at York St John got a taste of Shakespeare from an actor’s perspective when Alex Waldmann visited the University on Monday 21 October.

Alex, who is currently playing Horatio, Orlando and Bertram for the Royal Shakespeare Company, talked about his work.

Alex played Laertes opposite Jude Law's Hamlet in the Donmar in the West End Hamlet and Sebastian in Twelfth Night with Derek Jacobi as Malvolio. He has played several roles in the West End including at the National Theatre, but it was Alex's acclaimed performance in the title role of King John for the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2012 which established Alex as one of the leading Shakespearean actors of his generation.

This season he has been wowing audiences in Stratford and received five star reviews for his unique portrayal of Bertram. In As You Like It, he has been united with the director Maria Aberg and actress Pippa Nixon, and has delivered an exceptional nuanced performance as Orlando; in Hamlet he produces a very different performance as the steady watchful Horatio. At present Alex is at the Theatre Royal Newcastle with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Julie Raby, Head of Humanities at York St John University, said:
“We were thrilled to welcome Alex to York St John University and it was a wonderful opportunity for students and staff to have the opportunity to hear about his work with the world renowned Royal Shakespeare Company. The visit encouraged the students to consider how Shakespeare in performance brings the texts alive, and to hear about how Alex approaches his roles. Alex is an illuminating speaker and the audience was enthralled with his insights into the characters he has portrayed.”