Category Archives: Theater

ENDING HAMLET BY SHOOTING HORATIO. James Shapiro in The New York Review (April 19, 2018) recalled watching a production of Hamlet in the 1980’s in which Fortinbras, “as he recited the play’s final line—‘Go, bid the soldiers shoot’—unholstered a pistol, … Continue reading →

HAMLET AND BREAKING BAD (COMMENT). Nick commented here on my post on Brecht’s theory that the fourth act of Hamlet consisted of out takes that grew out of Shakespeare’s struggles with making the plot work. Nick said: “Pretty classic story … Continue reading →

MAYBE SHAKESPEARE NEEDED A COMPLICATED BLOODBATH AT THE END OF “HAMLET”. When I was in my early teens, I went to see the Oscar-winning movie The Bridge on the River Kwai. Without having seen any spoilers, I still knew that … Continue reading →

WHY I REJECT BRECHT’S THEORY. I also found Brecht’s theory attractive because I thought it was fun to think of Shakespeare—and, in Brecht’s thinking, the actors—struggling with writing a play about a prince who was struggling with what he should … Continue reading →

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 →