Performing Shakespeare

[AngusN]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 11:49am

Hi, does anyone know any good websites / books that will help actors with their delivery of Shakespeare's language?

[Taryn]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 2:09pm

Playing Shakespeare by John Barton

[LittlexFallxOfxRain]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 3:17pm

You can't really learn from a book. You should take a class if you have time. But if you go to a Borders or a Barnes and Noble and ask someone who works there, I'm sure you can find something good. Just keep watching shows, and be very observant.

[A Director]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 3:26pm

I agree you can't really learn from a book. On the other hand, the best book on the subject is Mastering Shakespeare An Acting Class in Seven Scenes by Scott Kaiser. Kaiser is Head of Voice and Text at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. From the back of the book, "Shattering the myth that only the British can act Shakespeare, a veteran acting coach presents a boldly American approach to acting the Bard. Written in the form of a play and set in an acting studio, each of the book's seven scenes present specific acting challenges and offer specific solutions." Another book by Kaiser is Shakespeare's Wordcraft. Both books are in paperback.

[jarred03]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 4:48pm

My suggestion would be to buy a script that translates the text into updated language, so that the actors know what they are actually saying and then it should be easier for them to deliver.

[Brick]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 4:59pm

John Barton.

[professor]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 10:22pm

The John Barton volume is a companion to the series of videotapes he made with the RSC under the title "Playing Shakespeare." If you can find a library that has the video series, it's quite good.

[A Director]

Posted: 3/22/08 at 3:24am

If you update Shakespeare, it's no longer Shakespeare. I have looked at some updated Shakespeare scripts and NONE of them come up to the originals.

John Barton is all well and good. On the other hand, I prefer Scott Kaiser's book Mastering Shakespeare because it is based on the way most American actors have been trained. I have used Kaiser's book and his approach works. The book is available on most online sites and one does not have to find a library that has the Barton video series.