The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 8.0829.  Friday, 8 August 1997.

From:           Harry Hill <
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Date:           Thursday, 07 Aug 1997 07:20:08 +0000 (HELP)
Subject: 8.0828  Re: JC at the First Globe
Comment:        Re: SHK 8.0828  Re: JC at the First Globe

The self-referentiality of the actor playing Polonius having appeared in
Shakespeare's theatre as Caesar is indeed further consolidation of
*Hamlet*'s theatrical metaphors. As Michael Bristol shows in his
intelligent, bravura *Big-Time Shakespeare* [Routledge, 1996], the
showbiz character of the plays makes the way clear for such naughty
things such as "Well done, old Mole; canst work i'th earth so fast?".

The technique, or bad habit, has always struck me as rather cheap, akin
to Red Skelton feigning break-up or performers tempted to poke their
heads around the scenery before the start of a play. But then, I've
always been insufficiently Brechtian, favouring consistent attempt at
rudimentary illusion from which only we may alienate ourselves as we
choose.

        Harry Hill