Theatre Australia

your portal for australian theatre

Is Shakespeare "as boring as bat shit "?

Sun, 9 Nov 2008, 10:00 pm
stinger102 posts in thread
When I was in high school and Shakespeare was compulsory, I used to love the stories (plenty of sex and violence) but hated the language. Why could he have not said the same thing in plain and simple words? And why should we Aussies have to learn about old Pommie poets anyway? When I was at uni in the 70s, I had a small part in the scottish play. I had one long speech to remember. It was most daunting, until it was pointed out to me that it was written in iambic pentameter, so that once the actor got into the rhythm, the actual words just seemed to flow. As I matured, I began to appreciate the whole canon more and more. I realised that Shakespeare had contibuted more to the development of the English language than any other single person (with the possible exception of Chaucer). Moreover, it was not only great literature, but if you could tap into the language, it was great theatre as well. Nowadays, it stikes me that any theatre actor worth his or her salt has done, and yearns to do more Shakespeare, as an important aspect of their artistic development. Not only that, but the plays never seem to lose their audience appeal. Finally, I regard myself as a devotee of Australian dramatic works and historical narratives. I value our national heritage to the point of jingoism. Having said that, I regard Shakespeare as just as much a part of our heritage as Britain's. I therefore categorically disagree with the above proposition.

Re: Revamping Bat Shit

Fri, 14 Nov 2008, 10:11 pm

Hmm!

Perhaps I should audition for one of the productions - I could do the skull! ... if properly directed. Juliet? Well, my Aunty Jack is quite wonderful, if I say so myself, but methinks my Juliet would be, well, shall we say more Pricilla than precise, No, maybe the bewitched Scottish bloke? Hang on, Grim baby, haven't you just written something for a wee Scott?

I think that's me. Now, I have to book tickets for the forthcoming Oz play at Garrick.

All Good Things

Greg Ross

Minister for Good Times

Thread (102 posts)

← Back to Green Room Gossip