Shaped in the spirit of Shakespearean tradition, Mike Bartlett’s controversial West End hit King Charles III offers a penetrating look at the people beneath their crowns and the conscience of Britain’s most famous family.

Hear the playwright discuss his vision of the monarchy after Elizabeth II with theatre critic and journalist Mark Shenton while we celebrate the publication of this modern classic in a new – gorgeously regal – hardback edition.

Tickets £3 for Waterstones Cardholders or £5, wine provided. To book call the branch on 020 7794 1098.

A session exploring documentary and verbatim theatre from the 1960s to the present day through the work of Alecky Blythe, David Hare, Max Stafford-Clark and others.

Speakers including Alecky Blythe (London Road), Bella Merlin (Professor of Acting, University of California, Davis) and Chris Megson (Royal Holloway, University of London) consider the development and popularity of the form as well as methods used by playwrights, directors and actors.

For more information, and to book tickets, click here.

In her groundbreaking book 100 Great Plays for Women, director Lucy Kerbel set out to challenge the commonly-held assumption that 'there are no good plays for women'.

In a series of thought-provoking sessions, well-known, obscure, much-loved and forgotten plays, all included in the book, are discussed and performed.

The World of Work

Plays covered: A Chat with Mrs Chicky by Evelyn Glover, Nine Till Six by Aimee and Philip Stuart, Top Girls by Caryl Churchill, Contractions by Mike Bartlett and The Stepmother by Gita Sowe

With guest speak Gilli Bush-Bailey.

For more information, and to book tickets, click here.

No One Speaks The Language Of Those YearS: An Evening of Speculation with Howard Brenton & Michael March

Acclaimed British Dramatist Howard Brenton and the renowned poet and writer Michael March combine forces for this special event. Brenton will read from several of his historical plays. 'To show how a dramatisation can try to reach out to mind sets we no longer share, views of the world we cannot grasp - a British Celt two thousand years ago, a King who believes in his divine right to rule, a patriarchal politician etc. These two masters of language collaborate to create an evening 'rich in gold'.

For more information, and to book tickets, visit the October Gallery website.

In her groundbreaking book 100 Great Plays for Women, director Lucy Kerbel set out to challenge the commonly-held assumption that 'there are no good plays for women'.

In a series of thought-provoking sessions, well-known, obscure, much-loved and forgotten plays, all included in the book, are discussed and performed.

War

Plays covered: Cockroach by Sam Holcroft, Women of Troy by Euripides, Goodbye My Fancy by Fay Kanin, Pax by Deborah Levy and Summer by Edward Bond

With guest speaker Sam Holcroft.

For more information, and to book tickets, click here.

In her groundbreaking book 100 Great Plays for Women, director Lucy Kerbel set out to challenge the commonly-held assumption that 'there are no good plays for women'.

In a series of thought-provoking sessions, well-known, obscure, much-loved and forgotten plays, all included in the book, are discussed and performed.

Women Behaving Badly

Plays covered: The Killing of Sister George by Frank Marcus, The Maids by Jean Genet, The Boston Marriage by David Mamet, Five Women Wearing the Same Dress by Alan Ball and Attempts on her Life by Martin Crimp

For more information, and to book tickets, click here.

Moira Buffini, James Graham and Rona Munro discuss their experiences of writing history plays. Chaired by Sebastian Born (NT Associate Director, Literary).

For more information, and to book tickets, click here.

Richard Eyre discusses his new book, What Do I Know?, with James Long at The Convent in South Woodchester, Gloucestershire.

For more information, and to book tickets, click here.

The director talks about his new book, What Do I Know? - People, Politics and the Arts, writings on people he has worked with, ideas he has struggled with, and things that have moved him.

This Platform is followed by a booksigning.

For more information, and to book tickets, visit the National Theatre website here.

In her groundbreaking book 100 Great Plays for Women, director Lucy Kerbel set out to challenge the commonly-held assumption that 'there are no good plays for women'.

In a series of thought-provoking sessions, well-known, obscure, much-loved and forgotten plays, all included in the book, are discussed and performed.

Domestic Dramas

Plays covered: August: Osage County by Tracy Letts, Dear Octopus by Dodie Smith, Men Should Weep by Ena Lamont Stewart, Time and the Conways by J.B. Priestley and Phèdre by Jean Racine

For more information, and to book tickets, click here.

Diane Samuels’ play Kindertransport has enjoyed success all over the world since its premiere in 1993. The recently published Kindertransport: The author’s guide to the play has been described by The Stage as "an informative, enlightening contribution to textual study and performance."

Join actors Paula Wilcox, Ruth Mitchell and Sarah Shanson as they share their reflections on performing key roles and read excerpts from the play, alongside insights into the writing process from the author and commentary from one of the Kinder, Ruth Barnett.

For more information, and to book tickets, click here.

In her groundbreaking book 100 Great Plays for Women, director Lucy Kerbel set out to challenge the commonly-held assumption that 'there are no good plays for women'.

In a series of thought-provoking sessions, well-known, obscure, much-loved and forgotten plays, all included in the book, are discussed and performed.

One Woman Plays

Plays covered: Shirley Valentine by Willy Russell, Bed Among the Lentils by Alan Bennett, Grounded by George Brant, Spoonface Steinberg by Lee Hall and Happy Days by Samuel Beckett

For more information, and to book tickets, click here.

Drawing on his lifetime career in front of the camera (and sometimes behind it), Denis Lawson offers a wonderfully accessible introduction to acting for film and TV. For the young actor hoping to break into the industry – whether in a drama series, soap or sitcom – The Actor and the Camera is the ultimate insider’s guide.

This session will be a hosted Q&A with Denis Lawson offering hands-on, practical advice on how to succeed as an actor in the incredibly competitive TV and film industries.

There'll be a chance to network, a few glasses of wine, and the book itself will be available to buy at a discounted rate.

For more information, and to book tickets, click here.

In her groundbreaking book 100 Great Plays for Women, director Lucy Kerbel set out to challenge the commonly-held assumption that 'there are no good plays for women'.

In a series of thought-provoking sessions, well-known, obscure, much-loved and forgotten plays, all included in the book, are discussed and performed.

Actor and writer Alecky Blythe, creator of the award winning London Road at the National Theatre and the current Little Revolution at the Almeida, in which she is also acting, will give a masterclass on Tuesday 30 September at 2.30pm.

For more information, see the Masterclass website.

Enda Walsh on Irish playwriting – working with and against the great tradition. With James Moran, University of Nottingham.

For more information, and to book tickets, click here.

Playwright Rona Munro and director Laurie Sansom discuss The James Plays, a trilogy of plays about the kings of Scotland.

For more information, and to book tickets, visit the National Theatre website here.

The writer and director discusses his new play, Ballyturk. This Platform is followed by a booksigning.

For more information, and to book tickets, visit the National Theatre website here.

Meet comedy stars Mark Heap, Robert Webb and Mark Hadfield, and writers the Goodale brothers, of the hit West End show Jeeves & Wooster in 'Perfect Nonsense', a new play adapted from the works of P.G. Wodehouse for a special event in the Waterstones Piccadilly Café.

This occasion is the perfect opportunity to ask the actors about their current roles, their theatre careers and the exciting task of bringing characters to life on a journey from text to stage. Refreshments will be available for purchase at Café W.

The event is free, but please register your place by email at piccadilly@waterstones.com. For further details, call 020 7851 2400.

Michael Palin tells the story of how the famous shows and films were conceived, argued about, and brought to hilarious life in his new book, Monty Python at Work. Chaired by Edith Bowman.

Drawn from his published diaries, Monty Python at Work is Michael Palin’s account of the making of the Monty Python TV and stage shows, films, books and albums, spanning the years 1969-1983. An intimate guide to the legendary comedy group's exploits, it will delight Python fans everywhere, and be a source of instruction and inspiration to students and those who seek to follow in their footsteps.

This Platform is followed by a booksigning.