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Category Archives: Plays and Poems
Making the majestic clear? Updating Shakespeare for the 21st century
So what is more important: clarity of meaning, or poetry? Mike LoMonico recently wrote a post for the Folger Shakespeare Library’s Education blog challenging the often-voiced opinion that Shakespeare’s plays are now so difficult to understand that they should be … Continue reading
Ralph Fiennes as Coriolanus: noble warrior or boy of tears?
The new film version of Coriolanus, directed by and starring Ralph Fiennes has been awaited impatiently for months. We’ve been tantalised by stills, by trailers and interviews with the stars, and now it’s finally on release. It’s Fiennes’ first attempt at … Continue reading
Posted in Plays and Poems, Shakespeare on Stage
Tagged Coriolanus, Deborah Warner, Ralph Fiennes, Royal Shakespeare Company, Sam Mendes, Trevor Nunn
Comments Off on Ralph Fiennes as Coriolanus: noble warrior or boy of tears?
Ralph Fiennes’ Coriolanus and Shakespeare on screen
Shakespeare-lovers are eagerly awaiting the release of the film of Coriolanus directed by and starring Ralph Fiennes. Fiennes may be better known to film audiences as Voldemort in the Harry Potter films, but theatre audiences know that his Shakespeare credentials are … Continue reading
Posted in Legacy, Plays and Poems
Tagged BBC, Coriolanus, Cymbeline, John Wyver, Ralph Fiennes, Screenplay, Shakespeare, Twelfth Night
3 Comments
How to tame your falcon – and your wife
A few days ago I was in a car travelling along a main road near Stratford-upon-Avon when a bird shot across the road then continued to fly alongside it at the bottom of the hedgerow, at the same speed as the … Continue reading
Lawyers inspiring Shakespeare
Among the beautiful Tudor portraits at the National Portrait Gallery is this one of a dignified elder stateman, Thomas Sackville, painted around 1601 by J de Critz the Elder. The label, as well as detailing his role in government, mentions … Continue reading
Posted in Plays and Poems, Shakespeare's World, Sources
Tagged Gorboduc, Hamlet, Hanery VI Part 3, Inns of court, King Lear, Shakespeare, Thomas Sackville, tragedy
Comments Off on Lawyers inspiring Shakespeare
The RSC’s golden years: Terry Hands and Alan Howard
What better way to end the RSC’s season of events celebrating the Company’s 50th anniversary than with a discussion between two people who for many epitomised the RSC during the 1970s and early 1980s? On Saturday morning Greg Doran hosted … Continue reading
Michael Sheen’s Hamlet and the vision of Philip K Dick
In my last post I mentioned that Michael Sheen was talking on the radio about the life of the science fiction writer Philip K Dick who inspired his Hamlet. The broadcast will be repeated on Friday 9 December at 11pm, and … Continue reading
Posted in Legacy, Plays and Poems, Shakespeare on Stage
Tagged Hamlet, Michael Sheen, Philip K Dick, Shakespeare, Young Vic
Comments Off on Michael Sheen’s Hamlet and the vision of Philip K Dick
Is Hamlet a callous, egocentric villain?
According to author John Updike, “Hamlet is in fact the callous, egocentric villain of Hamlet”. This view was recently quoted in a posting on the Shakespeare Bulletin board SHAKSPER. That’s quite a condemnation of probably the most famous of all … Continue reading
Michael Sheen’s Hamlet: driving out the feminine side
For centuries, critics have noted Hamlet’s effeminacy: his inability to act decisively, that description as a “delicate and tender prince”. In the eighteenth century the great actor David Garrick was criticised for “giving a kind of feminine sorrow” to his … Continue reading
Posted in Plays and Poems, Shakespeare on Stage
Tagged feminine, Hamlet, Ian Rickson, madness, Michael Sheen, psychiatry, Richard Eyre, Shakespeare, Tony Howard, women, Young Vic
2 Comments
What can doctors learn from Shakespeare?
It’s long been acknowledged that Shakespeare took a great interest in medicine and psychology, and this week the BBC picked up a new article written by Dr Kenneth Heaton indicating that doctors might do well to study Shakespeare to improve … Continue reading
Posted in Plays and Poems, Shakespeare's World
Tagged doctor, illness, John Hall, Macbeth, medicine, psychology, Shakespeare, sleep
3 Comments