Monday April 30, 2012
Throughout April, I've been focusing on As You Like It - that strange little play that divides opinion.
I've started with some character resources and a plot summary of the play:
Also, to accompany the new study guide, I've started editing up the original text as a resource. So far we have Act 1 (Scenes 1, 2, 3) and Act 2 (Scenes 1, 2, 3).
Enjoy!
Monday April 23, 2012
Today is Shakespeare's 448th birthday and people around the world will be remembering our most celebrated playwright in birthday celebrations.
This year with the launch of the World Shakespeare Festival, this year's Bard birthday is extra special.
In fact, it seems almost impossible to imagine a world without Shakespeare. His influence has been pervasive - his work is central to our literary and theatrical traditions and his writing has touched our modern everyday language. I know it's a cliché, but in many ways Shakespeare still lives and breathes in our contemporary culture.
I urge you to mark the day in one way or another and wish the Bard a happy 448th! Undoubtedly, there will be some kind of event taking place in your neighborhood this week, but if you can't attend, I've put together some Shakespeare-related family activities. Why not throw your own Bard birthday bash in the comfort of your own home?
Happy birthday, Shakespeare ... and many happy returns!
Photo © NYPL Digital Gallery
Tuesday April 3, 2012
The forthcoming World Shakespeare Festival 2012 is bringing together theater companies from all around the world - but an invite to Israeli theater company Habima to perform The Merchant of Venice at the festival has touched a raw nerve.
A list of 37 theater heavyweights signed an open letter to The Guardian, including Mike Leigh, Caryl Churchill and Emma Thompson to name but a few. All were expressing their "dismay and regret" at the Globe Theatre's inclusion of Habima in the World Shakespeare Festival program.
The letter states:
"By inviting Habima, the Globe is associating itself with policies of exclusion practised by the Israeli state and endorsed by its national theatre company. We ask the Globe to withdraw the invitation so that the festival is not complicit with human rights violations and the illegal colonisation of occupied land."
The festival does include a performance by Ashtar Theatre, a Palestinian company; a fact that seems to have been overshadowed by the controversy surrounding Habima.
On one hand this is a festival about Shakespeare and language - not politics; on the other hand, politics, history and state are indelibly part of the culture of theater. It is woven into its DNA - perhaps more tightly than most other art forms. Indeed, Shakespeare's own politics seep through his words written some four centuries ago.
Perhaps it is the nature of theater; perhaps it is plain irresponsible; perhaps it is simply the choice of play - your views, as always, are welcome.
Saturday March 31, 2012
April is once again upon us and the countdown to Shakespeare's Birthday is set to begin.
He was born and died on 23 April - which is convenient!
Celebrations will be taking place all around the world, but the festivities in Stratford-upon-Avon this year will be particularly exciting - with the launch of the World Shakespeare Festival 2012 coinciding.
Potentially, 2012 could be the biggest "Bard Bash" Stratford has ever known. I hope you can make it if you are travelling to this neck of the woods in April.
So, let's set the timer: 23 days to go!
