Shakespeare Electronic Conference, Vol. 4, No. 188.  Wednesday, 24 March 1993.
 
(1)     From:   Mez <
 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 >
        Date:   Wednesday, 24 Mar 93 10:40:37 EST
        Subj:   Real Bear in *WT*
 
(2)     From:   John Drakakis <
 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 >
        Date:   Wednesday, 24 Mar 93 16:57:45 GMT
        Subj:   Re: SHK 4.0187 The Bear Problem in *WT*
 
(3)     From:   RONALD DWELLE <
 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 >
        Date:   Wednesday, 24 Mar 93 13:44:55 EST
        Subj:   Re: SHK 4.0187  The Bear Problem in *WT*
 
 
(1)----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From:           Mez <
 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 >
Date:           Wednesday, 24 Mar 93 10:40:37 EST
Subject:        Real Bear in *WT*
 
In a production of the MIT Shakespeare Ensemble, the bear was a person in a
pretty obvious bear suit. The intermission came directly before IV i. The bear
walked on to start the second half of the play, took off his [bear] head, and
played the part of Time as well.
 
        Mez
 
(2)----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From:           John Drakakis <
 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 >
Date:           Wednesday, 24 Mar 93 16:57:45 GMT
Subject: 4.0187 The Bear Problem in *WT*
Comment:        Re: SHK 4.0187 The Bear Problem in *WT*
 
Apropos what's coming to be called "the bear problem" in WT, there was
an RSC Stratford production of some years ago which has the Bear returning
as the chorus Time.
 
This would certainly obviate the need to use a live bear!  I don't think
that the actor's name was Simon Smith, and the bear didn't dance, as I
recall.
 
John Drakakis
University of Stirling
 
(3)----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From:           RONALD DWELLE <
 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 >
Date:           Wednesday, 24 Mar 93 13:44:55 EST
Subject: 4.0187  The Bear Problem in *WT*
Comment:        Re: SHK 4.0187  The Bear Problem in *WT*
 
Stephen Schrum asked:
 
>The real bear in WT: I am also curious about contemporary productions.
 
FYI: A local (Allendale, Michigan) student production features your standard
person in a fake bear costume. The actor hams it up a bit--an odd, but
effective, variation.