About Shakespeare

Shakespeare's Characters: My Favorite Resolutions

2010-02-09T06:11:18Z

Now that 2010 is in full swing, I thought it might be prudent to review our New Year's Resolutions (personally, I've already broken most of mine).

At the start of January, I asked you to write resolutions for Shakespeare's characters. Here are some of my favorites:

Richard III: "Family first" (by Robin Weatherall)
King Lear: "Never let the kids sweet-talk me again" (by Tony Balangue)
Beatrice and Benedick: "Don't fight!" (by Bill Moen)
Caesar: "Listen to my wife and stay home from work" (by Sarah Tron)
Macbeth: "Ignore anything witches have to say" (by Gary Ishler)

Join in! Pick a character, write a new year's resolution for them and share it with others on About.com.

Shakespeare's Characters: My Favorite Resolutions originally appeared on About.com Shakespeare on Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 at 06:11:18.

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Mature Romeo and Juliet

2010-02-02T05:22:33Z

A few months ago I reported on a novel production of Romeo and Juliet that will retell the classic love story with elderly lovers in Verona's residential care homes. Who could play such a part, I asked?

Well, the UK's Bristol Old Vic has now revealed its key casting: Romeo will be played by Michael Byrne (Coronation Street, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Tomorrow Never Dies) staring alongside Sian Phillips as Juliet (Goodbye Mr Chips and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy).

Rehearsals for the production started this week under the watchful eye of director Tom Morris (Jerry Springer the Opera).

Despite hundreds of reinterpretations of Shakespeare's plays every year, genuinely fresh perspectives are somewhat rare - so I'm very excited about this production!

>Romeo and Her Juliet opens on 10 March 2010 at the Bristol Old Vic, UK and runs until 24 April.

Photo � Gavin Evans

Mature Romeo and Juliet originally appeared on About.com Shakespeare on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 at 05:22:33.

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Shakespearean Theater Snacks

2010-02-01T08:16:52Z

An archaeological survey of the site of the Rose Theatre in London has revealed that theatergoers in Shakespeare's time were enjoying a wide range of seafood, steaks, fruits and nuts during performances.

The theater experience in Shakespeare's lifetime was very different to today - it was acceptable for spectators to talk, socialize and eat throughout performances. Evidence has revealed that the types of snacks consumed included whelks, mussels, crabs and other seafood giving us new insights into the diet of the Elizabethan theatergoer.

Different types of remains have been found in different locations around the site, proving that more expensive imported foods like peaches and dried figs were being served in the galleries to richer audience members.

Maybe they should start serving these treats up at the reconstructed Globe Theatre in London? Or maybe you would prefer to stick to the ice cream?

Photo � NYPL Digital Galley

Shakespearean Theater Snacks originally appeared on About.com Shakespeare on Monday, February 1st, 2010 at 08:16:52.

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Do You Dig Shakespeare?

2010-01-21T11:49:30Z

A few weeks ago I reported that an archaeological dig was planned for New Place, the site of Shakespeare's final home in Stratford-upon-Avon. Well, now you can get involved!

If you fancy yourself as an amateur archaeologist with a bit of time on your hands, then the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust are looking to train you up with professionals from Birmingham University and get you digging on the site where New Place once stood - now host to an Elizabethan garden.

I have to be honest: digging around in the dirt is not my idea of fun, but I know that so many Shakespeare enthusiasts around the world would jump at the chance. If you fancy volunteering for the dig this Spring and Summer, then email the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust on volunteering@shakespeare.org.uk.

I'd love to hear how you get on and what (if anything) you find.

Happy digging.

Photo � Lee Jamieson

Do You Dig Shakespeare? originally appeared on About.com Shakespeare on Thursday, January 21st, 2010 at 11:49:30.

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A Catholic Shakespeare? New Evidence Revealed

2010-01-19T08:05:48Z

For the first time, the Venerable English College in Rome has put parchments on display that reveal the names of pilgrims to Rome from Shakespeare's Time. It's a kind of leather-bound guest book for visiting Catholics.

The parchments reveal three cryptic signatures that suggest that a Catholic Shakespeare may have spent his mysterious lost years in Italy - perhaps seeking refuge from England's persecution of Catholics at the time.

Could "Shfordus Cestriensis" in 1587 really be "Shakespeare of Stratford in the dioceses of Stratford"? Or, could "Gulielmus Clerkue Stratfordiensis" signing in 1589 really be "William the clerk from Stratford"?

Already this has triggered some exciting debates - and could perhaps explain why 14 of Shakespeare's plays have Italian settings.

I'm sure this story will be picked up by the authorship conspirators in due course because Edward De Vere, the leading candidate in the Shakespeare authorship debate, spent lots of time in Italy.

What do you believe the Bard was doing in the Shakespeare lost years before he reappeared in 1592 as a London-based playwright?

Photo � NYPL Digital Galley

A Catholic Shakespeare? New Evidence Revealed originally appeared on About.com Shakespeare on Tuesday, January 19th, 2010 at 08:05:48.

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Shakespeare�s Greatest

2010-01-12T11:29:31Z

About a month ago I wrote about the Hall of Fame on display at Shakespeare's Birthplace when I noticed the ultimate Shakespearean tragedy: Leonardo DiCaprio was included whereas Peter Brook wasn't!

Anyway, I asked you to submit your own names to our own Hall of Fame and I noticed strong support for Peter Hall in your suggestions - and I have to agree with you. Omitting Peter Brook is one thing, but Peter Hall? I cannot think of anyone that has shaped our present day understanding of the Bard more than Hall.

In the words of mikereeks:

Peter Hall - for setting up the Royal Shakespeare Company and for raising the standard of Shakespeare in performance and bringing his work to a wider audience.

If you've still got names to add, why not contribute to our Hall of Fame.

Photo � Lee Jamieson

Shakespeare�s Greatest originally appeared on About.com Shakespeare on Tuesday, January 12th, 2010 at 11:29:31.

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Award Nomination for Shakespeare Birthday Celebrations

2010-01-11T09:55:04Z

Have you ever visited Stratford-upon-Avon for the Shakespeare Birthday Celebrations in April? It's one of the most surreal experiences imaginable with samba bands battling it out with Morris dancers, men in sixteenth century dress perform circus tricks and famous actors are paraded up the streets.

Well, the celebrations have now been shortlisted for a Where Else But England award, which celebrates the eccentric side of British culture ... and I think it should win!

So, if you're one of the hundreds of thousands of visitors that have enjoyed the celebrations over the years, I urge you to vote. To vote, you need to email heartofengland@europe.mccann.com and write the word "Shakespeare" in the subject line.

I would also like to hear your stories from the Shakespeare Birthday Celebrations of yesteryear. Did you have fun? How have they changed over the years? What souvenirs did you buy? Share your stories here on About.com.

Photo � Lee Jamieson

Award Nomination for Shakespeare Birthday Celebrations originally appeared on About.com Shakespeare on Monday, January 11th, 2010 at 09:55:04.

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Live Like Shakespeare

2010-01-06T01:35:07Z

The ultimate opportunity has cropped up for Bard enthusiasts: trade in your modern comforts and live the rural life of Shakespeare's time!

Mary Arden's House near Stratford-upon-Avon was family home of Shakespeare's mother and is now owned and operated as a living history museum by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. The farm is preparing for a relaunch this Spring and is appealing for volunteers to immerse themselves in the sixteenth century way of life and become brewers, rat catchers, milk maids and scribes.

If you fancy getting dressed up and learning an ancient craft, then email volunteering@shakespeare.org.uk. The trust is also running showcase days on January 8, 9, 11, 13 and 14.

Photo � Lee Jamieson

Live Like Shakespeare originally appeared on About.com Shakespeare on Wednesday, January 6th, 2010 at 01:35:07.

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New Year Resolutions for Shakespeare's Characters

2010-01-05T12:27:52Z

As we bound into 2010 it's customary to make some weak-willed resolution for the year ahead. How are you going to change? Drink less? Read more? Be kinder?

I'm sure that many of Shakespeare's characters would also have resolutions to make. Here are a few of my favorites:

Juliet: "Stay off the drugs."
Hamlet: "Try and get things done."
Lady Macbeth: "Be happy with what I've got."

Join in! Pick a character, write a new year's resolution for them and share with others on About.com.

New Year Resolutions for Shakespeare's Characters originally appeared on About.com Shakespeare on Tuesday, January 5th, 2010 at 12:27:52.

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Why 2009 Was a Great Year for Shakespeare

2009-12-31T02:00:03Z

Back in January I predicted that 2009 would be a great year for Shakespeare - I just hope that you can forgive me for crassly calling it "Bard 2009". I wrote that a number of events would make the Shakespeare more accessible than ever and open the Bard to a new fan base.

Below are my top 5 reasons why I think 2009 was a great year for Shakespeare - and why I believe that lots of people were exposed to the Bard for the first time at some point in the last 12 months:

Teenagers are listening to Shakespeare inspired rap, rock and pop music. All kinds of products have appeared for MP3 players and iPhones in 2009.
Plans for the world's largest ever international Shakespeare festival was announced to coincide with 2012 Olympics. There, Shakespeare can find a new level of international exposure.
The UK government took action to keep Shakespeare in state schools. This was a much needed step to keep young people connected with the Bard.
We celebrated the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's sonnets, reminding everyone that Shakespeare didn't just write plays!
The UK government urged programmers to put more Shakespeare on TV ... and on Boxing Day we got to see David Tennant strut his stuff in Hamlet. I can't be sure, but I hope the two things are connected. Wow! Hamlet on prime time Christmas television. I never thought I'd see the day.

Happy new year, everyone - I'll see you all in 2010!

Photo � Phillip Dvorak / Getty Images

Why 2009 Was a Great Year for Shakespeare originally appeared on About.com Shakespeare on Thursday, December 31st, 2009 at 02:00:03.

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