Shakespeare Electronic Conference, Vol. 6, No. 0077. Monday, 6 February 1995.
(1) From: Jocelyn G. Shannon <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Sunday, 05 Feb 1995 17:56:20 -0500 (EST)
Subj: Epilepsy in tragedies
(2) From: Harry Hill <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Monday, 06 Feb 1995 09:11:43 -0500 (EST)
Subj: Staging *Anthony and Cleopatra*
(1)----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Jocelyn G. Shannon <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Sunday, 05 Feb 1995 17:56:20 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Epilepsy in tragedies
Forgive a query which may have been discussed many times here, but my students
and I are constantly discussing the fact that both Caesar and Othello suffer
from "the falling sickness". What was the Elizabethan point of view on this
malady? What was Shakespeare's slant? As my television wraps around another
grim day at *Camp OJ*, I sometimes wonder if Nicole said, "I do fear you when
your eyes roll so." No, that was NOT a part of my request....just the
flickering of an overloaded yellow journalist. Thank you for any
enlightenment!
Jocelyn G. Shannon
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(2)----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Harry Hill <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Monday, 06 Feb 1995 09:11:43 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Staging *Anthony and Cleopatra*
The artistic director of the Centaur Theatre in Montreal has asked me to
provide him with answers to these questions as he sets about plans for a
production of *Anthony and Cleopatra* for next season, and I thought I would
see what posting them here might glean.
Replies could be sent to me privately, at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.,ca
1. What seem to you to be the main pitfalls to avoid in staging *Anthony &
Cleopatra*?
2. How can the political "background plot" be made compelling in the theatre?
3. What design ideas can make the *story-telling* clear?
Marice Podbrey is a fine man of the theatre, with the Order of Canada [the
equivalent of a knighthood] and other honours. It is partly his South African
background that draws him to the play as a work in which private passions are
played out in the midst of political wranglings. He is sharply aware of the
possibilities of artistic failure, and therefore interested in as many answers
to his questions as possible. Thank you.
Harry Hill
