Shakespeare Without Tears

by Margaret Webster

A prominent producer-director of Shakespeare's plays writes with wit and verve about the Elizabethan theater and subsequent modifications in theatrical practice, differences between actors and audiences in Shakespeare's day and ours, and more "There is not an obscure or otherwise dull page in the book." —  New York Times Book Review.

Genres: Shakespeare, Criticism

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1942

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful survey of all of Shakespeare's plays, together with interesting background about the Elizabethan theatre, acting, staging, and so on. Despite the fact that Margaret Webster's Shakespeare Without Tears: A Modern Guide for Directors, Actors and Playgoers was first published in 1942 (with revisions in 1955), it has not aged a bit.

What I liked most about the book is that the survey of the Bard's plays was from an actor/producer's point of view. She did not hesitate to say when certain of the plays (like Troilus and Cressida and Titus Andronicus) were hard to like when presented on the stage. Even King Lear was considered unstageworthy by her. Her favorite play, on the other hand, seemed to be Othello

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent study on the importance of Shakespeare, how to present his works and why he continues to fascinate after 400 years. Should be read by anyone involved in Shakespearean theater.

[Gary Baughn · Rating 2 out of 5]

A nice overview of the plays by an actor/director. Probably only for a Shakespeare nut like myself.