Paul Brennen: The Actor & The Target

All too often, Shakespeare can feel like something to be solved — as though the actor’s job is to ‘get it right’. But when the head takes over, we lose the living connection between ourselves, the language, and each other.

Paul’s classes focus on Declan Donnellan’s The Actor and the Target — a practical, instinct-led approach centred on targeting, visible action, and freeing the actor from self-consciousness. Through physical, imaginative exploration of Shakespeare, Paul helps actors pursue what their characters need moment by moment, making the text active, necessary, and alive.

This work is fully embodied. By rooting attention outside the self and into the space — onto the target — actors discover urgency, spontaneity, and the clarity of high stakes. Shakespeare becomes playable, dangerous, and simple.

Paul Brennen is an award-winning actor, writer, director and teacher with over forty years’ international experience across stage, screen and radio. He has performed over 20 Shakespeare plays at leading companies including The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, The National Theatre and Shakespeare’s Globe, and has worked regularly with Declan Donnellan of Cheek by Jowl. 

He has directed and taught Shakespeare and classical text at major UK drama schools and led workshops worldwide from Russia, Colombia, Nigeria, Mexico, the USA, Australia and across Europe. 

“As an actor himself, he knows instinctively how to get the best out of fellow performers. Can’t recommend Paul highly enough!” — Matthew Macfadyen, Actor (Tom in Succession)

This is a 2 day course taking place 2pm-5pm on 18th May and 28th May.