Shakespeare Fans discussion
Playing Shakespeare
date
newest »
newest »
I hadn't heard of that series - I must watch it now :)
You can buy this series on DVD - I did a few years ago and LOVED it. I'm glad I own it because I plan on watching it again, and again, I just have to find the time!I remember also being fascinated at the youth of what are some very famous actors today. Judi Dench, Patrick Stewart, etc. You can see where they learned their chops.
I was not sure it was available in the United States. It would be nice if that South Bank Show special came with it. It has Ian McKellan with black hair. and Patrick Stewart...with hair.
And Hugh Laurie, which I had no idea before that series was even classically trained! I only knew him as House, lol.
Mod
I believe its a must see for us fans of Shakespeare. LOL
I also love the young actors. David Suchet (Hercules Poirot) Patrick Stewart (Star Trek Captain Picard)
Our library has it on DVD, and I watched it several years ago, but thanks for the reminder -- I've requested it to rewatch again.
I use them in my acting classes. Such a great dvd!
I'm finding that listening to it with my eyes closed gives me a better appreciation of the subtleties of the speeches, since there is really no acting as such to get in the way.
My favorite moment is in part 5 (I think) when they are demonstrating heightened speech. They use "Once more to the breech!" from Henry V and the other actors (lead by Patrick Stewart) react to the speaker's emotion.
Everyman wrote: "I'm finding that listening to it with my eyes closed gives me a better appreciation of the subtleties of the speeches, since there is really no acting as such to get in the way."Interesting. I'll have to try that next time!
I haven't watched any episodes in a few years, but I recall thinking the series was first-rate. I found the director (whose name I've forgotten) spot-on most of the time. I also thought one could learn a lot about Shakespeare from watching the various actors approach this or that scene, or speech. I thought David Suchet was especially good.
You're thinking of John Barton who co-founded the Royal Shakespeare Company.
It is a taped workshop by the 1984 Royal Shakespeare Company that examines, thoroughly, the process of...playing Shakespeare (on the stage primarily). I found it to be a very amazing series and have been going through it for the past few weeks. It morphed out of a televised 2-part mini-workshop on the South Bank Show in 1979 that you can watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsJ9g... and morphed into RSC's own special series that aired as the BBC Television Shakespeare series was winding down. The episodes are available on youtube. I would be curious to hear everyone's thoughts?
I personally enjoyed it as it helps give me still further insight to Shakespeare and more in-depth ways understanding his work, as well as seeing what actors go through to prepare for the plays.