Playing Shakespeare

Community theater directors, actors, and even general fans of the Bard could hardly find a better introduction to both the opportunities and challenges in performing Shakespeare's works than this 1982 British series comprised of nine taped master classes led by director John Barton, co-founder (with Peter Hall) of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Barton's collaborators include such luminaries as Peggy Ashcroft, Judi Dench, Ben Kingsley, Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, and David Suchet, who discuss interpretive points with Barton and each another, while also performing excerpts from plays and poems to demonstrate various possible approaches as well as potential stumbling-blocks—a range captured most tellingly in one program devoted entirely to Stewart and Suchet's very different interpretations of Shylock from The Merchant of Venice (it's also interesting to note the actors' dissimilar offstage personalities). Other topics covered include: the traditional “elevated” acting style versus more modern naturalistic readings, the importance of understanding Shakespeare's versification, the relationship between language and character, the ways in which the structure of soliloquies and speeches help engage an audience, the ambiguity and irony inherent to Shakespearean language, the proper balance between emotion and intellect brought to a performance, and the rehearsal process itself. This set will prove a bonanza to theatrical professionals and drama schools, but should also be of interest to theatergoers and students of Shakespeare, whose appreciation of the plays will be augmented by watching these great artists at work. Also included is a 20-page viewer's guide with discussion questions and further resources. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: H, C, P. (F. Swietek)