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nope, never been into shakespear, the only link i had to him was a pub going up towards queensway.
Another pub called The Shakespear was along the A316 heading into Richmond. A Young's pub long closed and still standing empty. I actually do enjoy the Bard.
Ever since my English teacher took me and a few others to see Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet way, way back in the day, I've loved the Bard. Mind you, Olivia Hussey helped a bit too.
I always love a bit of cross-thread fertilisation. So an entrant for the worst film thread: the massively over acted luvvies vvankfest, that was Branagh’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’. A film that did for Shakespeare what Bomber Harris did for Dresden.
As for Shakespeare himself, talented boy but he ‘borrowed heavily’ from the Greeks. I see him as more Noel Gallagher, as opposed to Yannis Lennonopolos.
'Always In Motion' by John Honney available on amazon.co.uk
I am a regular at the Globe, and you don’t have to be heavily into Shakespeare to enjoy a play there. Just read the synopsis beforehand, get familiar with the characters and get involved and for as little as £7 you won’t be disappointed. I mean where else in London can you enjoy a night out for less than a tenner? Saw Julius Caesar last week, and although it was not done in the costume of the time, and Brutus was played by a female, for a total cast of just eight people, it was very enjoyable. Next week, I’m off to see the Tempest. So all I say is don’t get put off by your school time experiences of trying to disseminate King Lear, get along and see for yourself. Shakespeare has no peers in influencing theatrical culture over the last 400 years and never will.
I am a regular at the Globe, and you don’t have to be heavily into Shakespeare to enjoy a play there. Just read the synopsis beforehand, get familiar with the characters and get involved and for as little as £7 you won’t be disappointed. I mean where else in London can you enjoy a night out for less than a tenner? Saw Julius Caesar last week, and although it was not done in the costume of the time, and Brutus was played by a female, for a total cast of just eight people, it was very enjoyable. Next week, I’m off to see the Tempest. So all I say is don’t get put off by your school time experiences of trying to disseminate King Lear, get along and see for yourself. Shakespeare has no peers in influencing theatrical culture over the last 400 years and never will.
[Post edited 24 Jul 2022 10:26]
Interesting DW. Thank you. The way Shakespeare was taught at school did nothing to encourage me. In fact, it put me off. Later in life (actually, a lot later) I can appreciate his work. Must go to the Globe one day.
Interesting DW. Thank you. The way Shakespeare was taught at school did nothing to encourage me. In fact, it put me off. Later in life (actually, a lot later) I can appreciate his work. Must go to the Globe one day.
I started with a comedy, Taming of the Shrew and I was hooked. I took my lad there earlier this year (the Sam Wannamaker Playhouse at the Globe - which is an altogether different but equally fantastic experience), to see The Merchant of Venice. He was transfixed. It also brought about some interesting discussions with him afterwards about issues of racism, bullying and anti-semitism. I felt that he had suddenly grown up. He has since been to see Much Ado About Nothing and MacBeth. And before you ask, yes he’ll also be at HQ on 6th August! 😂
I am a regular at the Globe, and you don’t have to be heavily into Shakespeare to enjoy a play there. Just read the synopsis beforehand, get familiar with the characters and get involved and for as little as £7 you won’t be disappointed. I mean where else in London can you enjoy a night out for less than a tenner? Saw Julius Caesar last week, and although it was not done in the costume of the time, and Brutus was played by a female, for a total cast of just eight people, it was very enjoyable. Next week, I’m off to see the Tempest. So all I say is don’t get put off by your school time experiences of trying to disseminate King Lear, get along and see for yourself. Shakespeare has no peers in influencing theatrical culture over the last 400 years and never will.
I prefer the ‘luxury’ of a wooden bench in the galleries nowadays. Can be quite dangerous standing in the yard as it really is an extension of the stage and the players do not give a damn if you get in their way. Or you could get soaked (not by rain) or covered in fake blood. Went to see Titus Andronicus a few years back complete with chariots in the yard. I was front row of the top gallery and had a Birdseye view of the carnage below!
Interesting DW. Thank you. The way Shakespeare was taught at school did nothing to encourage me. In fact, it put me off. Later in life (actually, a lot later) I can appreciate his work. Must go to the Globe one day.
I know what you mean. I had to do “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” for GCE in the mid 1960’s. We were told it was a comedy but I thought it was about as funny as having toothache. It was only when I saw Peter Brook’s production of the same play at the Aldwych a few years later that I realised it actually was a comedy and could be extremely entertaining.
I know what you mean. I had to do “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” for GCE in the mid 1960’s. We were told it was a comedy but I thought it was about as funny as having toothache. It was only when I saw Peter Brook’s production of the same play at the Aldwych a few years later that I realised it actually was a comedy and could be extremely entertaining.
I was fortunate to see Midsummer in 2013 directed by Mark Rylance. Was absolutely fantastic and the Mechanicals have got their own production this summer at the Sam Wannamaker playhouse as a ‘spinoff’, which given the intimate surroundings promises to be an experience.
Only did Twelth Night at school didn’t have a clue what’s it was about then Years later went to see an outdoor performance. at Brodie Castlle Finally understood it quite enjoyed it
Just to set the cat amongst the pigeons. A guy by the name of Alexander Waugh suggests that Edward DeVere was in fact the author of everything attributed to the made-up Shakespeare. He has an interesting youtube channel that explains all, intriguing stuff
Saw Much Ado About Nothing in Stratford upon Avon. Beatrice and Benedick played by Judi Dench and Donald Sinden. Fabulous entertainment.
Also saw an open air version of The Tempest whilst in Dublin. Never knew the play but enjoyed it loads.
"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the Earth all one's lifetime." (Mark Twain)
Find me on twitter @derbyhoop and now on Bluesky
Alastair Stewart... by TacticalR30 Jan 2020 12:46 Very hard to be objective about Shakespeare as there is a Shakespeare industry in Britain.
One of the things that really messes up Shakespeare teaching is that kids are reading plays that were designed to be performed in a lightweight environment with few props where the language had to do all the heaving lifting/scene creation.
People need to get an overview of a play before diving into the details (assuming they are interested). We had a forced march through through 'Antony and Cleopatra' which has so many scenes that everybody got lost in the details. The lack of an overview also means that people know Shakespeare 'highlights' (famous speeches) and the rest of the play is just a filler between the highlights.
Early modern English is also a barrier, although I think this can be overcome if people have an overview of the material (and are interested).
Another difficulty is understanding the conceptions of a different era. Shylock is condemned for making money out of money (i.e. unnatural 'barren' activity as opposed to the 'natural' agricultural economy of the time), a criticism which people have difficulty understanding today as that is the whole basis of capitalist society.
To top it all these plays are then crowbarred into the examination system.
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