Shakespeare question

So I'm auditioning for A Midsummer Night's Dream at the end of the month, and I've been told the auditions are concentrating on movement rather than reading the text. I've been informed that this is because the most important aspect of Shakespeare is the movement rather than the words.

I'm a bit perplexed because I've always thought the importance was in the text, mainly because in every adaptation of Midsummer I've seen (I've seen 4/5 film versions of it, I've yet to see the 1935 film), the main focus on the performances is in the delivery of the text, and movement just comes along with it.

I'm not sure how to really focus on the movement, however it's not too hard in Midsummer with all the action going on.


So, my question is, what do you think is more important and why? The text, or the movement? I figured I'd ask people on here since any patronizing responses will go way over my head if read on the internet :).

---

There was a very, VERY famous production of Midsummer directed by Peter Brook in 1970... methinks... that focused on movement a great deal more than was common for a production of that play at that time. You can look it up... you'll find endless descriptions. It revolutionized a lot of things and is a great touch stone. I would imagine that would be the direction they are headed in this production.

That said. The words are what makes shakespeare Shakespeare. Almost all of his plays have source stories, it was his poetry that elevated them to greatness... or whatever. So. Yea. The words are what is important. Always. Unless you're doing circus theater I guess.

Though, it should be said, Mary Zimmerman... Tony Award winning director and Macarthur Genius grant person... does all sorts of movement experiements in her auditions and all of her work is based on ancient literary texts... often Shakespeare... and often it seems she casts for movement and looks and not vocal performance ability... so... none of this is really helpful.

It depends on the director I guess... but it would seem that a director would really have to know what they are doing if they were going to focus a shakespeare play on "movement." I mean... there aren't many Mary Zimmermans in the world... and there is certainly only one Peter Brook (who also puts a strong focus... if not a razor sharp focus on text).

So. There it is.


kmc

---

The language, the language, the language. You can get by with Shakespeare without the movement, but not without the language. Movement is an enhancement and much to be desired, but the language comes first.

---

If you cut Theseus, Hippolyta and Egeus, the show cannot work.

I'm not just saying this because I played Theseus, but all three of them set the plot into motion.

The whole point of the 4 lovers is that Egeus has banned Hermia from marrying Lysander. So he brings his case to the duke. The duke also bans the marriage, thus creating the problem for the lovers. Hippolyta is also important, because the whole play is focused around her wedding to Theseus.

This director is ruining this classic.

---

Well all I can say is, good luck to her.

---

George95,

Thanks for bringing that up, I didn't think of it that way.

I guess it is a good idea to apply the action/movement soon to see exactly if those auditioning can bring the characters to life.

---