The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 16.0063  Wednesday, 12 January 2005

[1]     From:   Michael Egan <
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        Date:   Tuesday, 11 Jan 2005 07:35:13 -1000
        Subj:   Re: SHK 16.0055 Small Cast Productions

[2]     From:   Christine Gordon <
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        Date:   Tuesday, 11 Jan 2005 18:57:19 -0600
        Subj:   Re: SHK 16.0055 Small Cast Productions


[1]-----------------------------------------------------------------
From:           Michael Egan <
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Date:           Tuesday, 11 Jan 2005 07:35:13 -1000
Subject: 16.0055 Small Cast Productions
Comment:        Re: SHK 16.0055 Small Cast Productions

The Berkshires-based Shakespeare & Co did an eight-cast Macbeth two or
three years ago. It was the most pointless, self-indulgent production
(directed by Tina Packer) I have ever seen. Role changes were indicated
by actors in mid-scene putting on and taking off items of clothing, e.g.
a jacket-totally bewildering. In the Lady Fife murder scene one of the
killers, doubling up as her son, sat down to suck his thumb and then
jumped up to kill himself. The Porter (in women's high heels) went into
a stand-up comic routine. The battle was supplemented by gratuitous
sound effects culled from the McKellen's Richard III (helicopters,
machine guns, etc.) It was truly a tale told by an idiot, signifying, etc.

If you can't do Shakespeare right don't do it at all, says I.

[2]-------------------------------------------------------------
From:           Christine Gordon <
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Date:           Tuesday, 11 Jan 2005 18:57:19 -0600
Subject: 16.0055 Small Cast Productions
Comment:        Re: SHK 16.0055 Small Cast Productions

Matt Henerson mentioned Shakespeare's R&J; this adaptation is by Joe
Calarco. I served as the dramaturg for a production in Minneapolis that
had a run in fall 2001 and was remounted for the SAA conference here in
2002. Four actors play all the roles; we had a fairly simple set, the
costumes were shirts, ties, slacks (the adaptation is set in an all-male
Catholic school), no props to speak of beyond a long piece of red cloth.
The show was very well reviewed and audiences enjoyed it very much.

Chris Gordon

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