Category Archives: Shakespeare

BRECHT’S THEORY THAT A LOT OF THE SCENES IN HAMLET ARE OUT TAKES. Some time ago, I came across an essay in dialogue form by Brecht on “Hamlet”, reprinted in the TLS (November 25, 2016). The essay asked a question … Continue reading →

EMMA RICE AND THE GLOBE—-EPILOGUE. This article by Michael Billington in the Guardian (July 17, 2017) analyzes the choice of Michelle Terry as the new director of the Globe. She has performed a number of Shakespearean roles, from Rosalind in … Continue reading →

MY DEFENSE OF EMMA RICE. I took the position in 2012, before Emma Rice had come to the Globe, that alternative versions of Shakespeare’s plays that expose more people to the plays are a good thing. I’m sticking to my … Continue reading →

WHO CARES ABOUT SHAKESPEARE’S WORDS? I have posted a number of times, including here, in support of the linguist John McWhorter’s argument that productions of Shakespeare plays should be “translated” into modern English. I supported this on the theory people … Continue reading →

EMMA RICE’S PENULTIMATE SHAKESPEARE PRODUCTION AT THE GLOBE. In addition to directing Twelfth Night, Emma Rice produced another Shakespeare play at the Globe in her farewell season after she had resigned. The play was Romeo and Juliet, directed by Daniel … Continue reading →

EMMA RICE’S LAST SHAKESPEARE PLAY AT THE GLOBE. I posted a number of times last year about how Emma Rice, who had been appointed to be artistic director of the Globe Shakespeare Theatre, had said in interviews that Shakespeare makes … Continue reading →

ACTORS INTONING.. I posted here about how Mary Jane and I each liked Mel Gibson’s performance as Hamlet because he avoided the “intoning” of Shakespeare’s lines that we each associate with John Gielgud—a style which always seemed to be focused … Continue reading →

I THINK APPOINTING A NEW DIRECTOR OF THE GLOBE IS FOR THE BEST FOR EVERYBODY. After a little bit of reflection, I think that what happened at the Globe is for the best. There are already a lot of theaters … Continue reading →