Shakespeare's London: The Theatrical City

Online course

+44 (0)20 7942 2000

This short course will explore the magnificently tumultuous London in the age of William Shakespeare, the epicentre of the English Renaissance, a burgeoning metropolis of an outwardly looking Atlantic kingdom.

Learn from our world-class experts wherever you are, whenever suits you: watch lectures live or view the recording later in your own time. You can experience the full breadth and depth of the V&A's collections with 12 hours of study over 6 weeks. Learn at your own pace: lecture recordings and study materials, lecture notes, copies of the presentations, and additional study materials are available in our secure Microsoft Teams environment for 6 weeks after the course ends, so you'll never miss a thing. And finally, join the conversation: share your perspective with your fellow students, and support each other in your further enquiries outside of class time.

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Portrait of Course Director Mike Berlin

Course Director
Mike Berlin

Mike Berlin is a Lecturer at Birkbeck College, University of London. He is a specialist in London history, particularly social history of early modern London and has published extensively on the history of London’s guilds. Before joining Birkbeck, he was a research officer at the Centre for Metropolitan History, Institute of Historical Research.

I feel very privileged to benefit from such first rate scholarship...my mind has been let free to explore another age. Time travel made easy! Previous V&A Academy student

Course overview

London was a city of cultural display and public performance, in fashion, dress, music and above all else drama, in which the written and spoken word resonated across society. It was also a city of periodic riots, pestilential plagues and religious unrest. Drawing on the expertise of scholars and curators, this history of London course will use the opulent collections of the V&A to explore the supremely theatrical city.

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Membership Priority Booking opens at 10.00 GMT on Wednesday 31 January. General Booking opens at 10.00 GMT on Monday 12 February.

Enrol now

Online course: Shakespeare's London: The Theatrical City

30 May 2024 - 4 July 2024

£120.00

Call to book +44 (0)20 7942 2000

Need help enrolling? Talk to the admissions team:

+44 (0)20 7942 2000

Open 10.00 - 13.00, Monday to Sunday (closed 24-26 December)

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