One of a series of guides in which actors tell the story and act out key scenes in order to make the characters and language of Shakespeare more accessible to students, A Taste of Shakespeare succeeds admirably, and in addition provides an abridged entertainment that can be enjoyed for its own sake. Personally, I have always found the Shakespearean comedies to be a drag, and A Midsummer Night's Dream particularly tiresome. But this production, without sacrificing the integrity of the original text, will be most appealing to a modern audience. Young, sexy actors inhabit Shakespeare's delightful characters, special effects convey the magic of the fairies' presence, and atmospheric sets and lighting provide the necessary fantastic ambiance. Sophisticated and tasteful, this is an essential purchase for the classroom, but can be enjoyed by audiences of all ages. Other titles in the A Taste of Shakespeare series include: Hamlet (VL-1/96) and The Merchant of Venice. A classy introduction that is highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (J. Reed)
A Taste of Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night's Dream
(1998) 56 min. $250 (study guide included). Eugenia Educational Foundation (dist. by Bullfrog Films). PPR. Color cover. ISBN: 1-56029-778-6. Vol. 14, Issue 3
A Taste of Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night's Dream
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