The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 14.1992  Monday, 13 October 2003

From:           Richard Burt <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date:           Friday, 10 Oct 2003 17:42:53 -0400
Subject:        Romeo and Juliet in Paddington Bear

In an episode of the Canadian animated cartoon Paddington Bear (airing
on HBO october 9, 2003), Paddington is cast as the Friar (just three
lines in this production, according to the director)and is also put in
charge of sound effects for a production of Romeo and Juliet, "the
greatest play in the world," in a park. During the rehearsal, the guy
playing Romeo becomes klutzy whenever he gets close to Dierdre, the
woman playing Juliet, whom he likes. He keeps falling out of character
and addres Dierdre by her name rather than as Juliet, and he embarrasses
himself by stepping on her foot while dancing during a rehearsal of the
holy pilgrim / sonnet exchange in the Capulet ball scene.  Later, just
before the performance, they knock heads as they both go to pick up some
papers he drops when she gives them to him.  The director comes in and
freaks out at him ("What have you done?"), and he walks off thinking he
can't go forward with the play.  Paddington, who earlier had seen
Dierdre say that the guy is her Romeo, whispers this info in his ear,
and so the guy goes back to perform his role. During the balcony scene
(the only part of the performance we see), he forgets his lines. The
director is having a heart attack, but Paddington, who had produced as
the friar when his skull cap wig accidentally fell off after he bowed on
stage just before his exit, goes out on stage to produce more disruptive
sounds. And after climbing a ladder up to Juliet, "Romeo" falls and
pulls her down with him.  This disastrous turn of events also produces
more laughter in the audience and reassures the director.

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S H A K S P E R: The Global Shakespeare Discussion List
Hardy M. Cook, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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