"The play's the thing" -Hamlet, William Shakespeare

Play reading groups have a long tradition.

In Virginia Woolf's "Mrs. Dalloway," the character Peter Walsh describes reading Shakespeare out loud with some companions.

In E.M. Forster's "A Room with a View," the character of Mr. Beebe remarks on the pleasure of reading plays out loud.

And in his book, "Caravans," James A. Michener talks about how—in the mid-1940s—foreign embassy personnel in Kabul, Afghanistan gathered in the evenings and read plays out loud as a form of entertainment.

More recently, during the COVID lock downs, online play reading group activity soared. Here at WICE we thought this would be a very nice addition to our Literature program, and a recent survey of WICE members indicated that there's a real interest in it.


Here at WICE we thought this would be a very nice addition to our literature program, and a survey of WICE members indicated that there's a real interest in it.

WICE's Living Room Players group currently meets once a month. Once registered, participants are emailed a copy of the play, which they bring (either in paper or electronic form). Parts are assigned randomly, members take on roles and read the play out loud and then discusses it afterwards.

The group looks for plays to read with the following qualities:

  • Available in English
  • Award-winning
  • 7 - 10 characters
  • Approximately 90 minutes long (some plays are edited for length)

Among other plays, the group has read the following to date:

  • 12 Angry Men, (Television adaptation)
  • The Pretentious Young Ladies, by Molière
  • The Importance of Being Earnest, by Oscar Wilde
  • The Autumn Garden, by Lilian Hellman
  • Great Catherine, by George Bernard Show

Participation in this group is free for WICE Members, although registration is required. Note: There are two reserved spots for new WICE members in each play reading.

If you would like more information or if you have questions, please email:

play-reading@wice-paris.org

Return to Literature

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • LA241 Living Room Players: Major Barbara, by George Bernard Shaw

    • 24 Apr 2025
    • 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM (CEST)
    • A member's apartment in the Marais
    • 5
    Major Barbara by George Bernard Shaw is a satirical play that explores themes of morality, wealth, and social responsibility. It critically examines the relationship between morality and capitalism, leaving the audience to ponder whether wealth and ethics can coexist.
    The story follows Barbara Undershaft, a devoted Salvation Army officer who seeks to uplift the poor through charity and faith. Her estranged father, Andrew Undershaft, is a wealthy and pragmatic arms manufacturer who argues that poverty is best solved through power and industry. As Barbara grapples with the implications of her father’s philosophy, she ultimately reevaluates her beliefs, questioning the true sources of societal change. 


    The general concept of WICE play readings is that people are sent the script a few days beforehand, and when they arrive they pull straws for roles. Attendees sit around a living room and simply read their parts with as much theatrical flourish as they care to give (but there are no expectations of real acting).

    The reading will take place at a member's apartment in the Marais. The address, door code, and phone number will be sent in the two reminder emails.


    Show details

  • LY221 Living Room Players: Play to be announced

    • 22 May 2025
    • 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM (CEST)
    • A member's apartment in the Marais
    • 8
    The May play is still being decided, and it should be posted by 24 April, at which point registration will open. Check back soon!


    The general concept of WICE play readings is that people receive the script by email about a week before the reading, and then pull straws for roles at the meeting. Attendees sit around a living room and simply read their parts with as much theatrical flourish as they care to give (but there are no expectations of real acting).

    The reading will take place at a member's apartment in the Marais. The address, door code, and phone number will be sent in the two reminder emails.


    Show details