The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 17.0595 Monday, 26 June 2006
From: R. Dekker Dreyer <
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Date: Sunday, 25 Jun 2006 16:17:23 -0400
Subject: News Release: The Working Shakespeare Library
THE WORKING ARTS LIBRARY NEWS
Jeremy Irons Hosts Five-Part Working Shakespeare Educational DVD Series
of Historic Shakespeare Workshops
Conducted by the Royal Shakespeare Company's Legendary Voice and Speech
Teacher Cicely Berry
Contact: Kay Radtke, Phone: 212-575-9265 ext 202, e-mail:
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FIVE DVD SERIES RELEASE ON JUNE 30 IN U.S.
Twenty actors from both sides of the Atlantic, most of whom had never
met before, convened in New York for three days of intensive Shakespeare
training workshops. The group, which included Emily Watson, Helen Hunt,
Samuel L. Jackson, Victor Garber, Blythe Danner, Lindsay Duncan, Toby
Stephens, Claire Danes, Cherry Jones, Tony Goldwyn, and Robert Sean
Leonard, didn't sign up to demonstrate "how to" perform Shakespeare for
the general edification of the theatre-going public. Their reason for
attending these master classes was entirely selfish. They flew in from
Hollywood and London for the chance to study with the Royal Shakespeare
Company's legendary voice and speech teacher, Cicely Berry, the subject
of the PBS documentary Where Words Prevail.
A five-part educational video series for students of literature, speech,
and theatre arts, WORKING SHAKESPEARE, is the record of these historic
instructional workshops of major British and American actors together
delving into the structure, imagery, meaning and power of Shakespeare's
language. Jeremy Irons introduces each program and describes its
educational themes and instructional purposes. Irons urges actors,
students, and fans of Shakespeare everywhere to pay heed to the lively
proceedings to enhance their fluency and ultimately enjoyment of
Shakespeare.
Cicely Berry's workshops do nothing to enshrine Shakespeare. Nobody
learns "the right way" to perform him. If anything, Berry and her
associate, Andrew Wade, set out to disturb whatever complacency or sense
of rightness her acting students may harbor. The audience sees the
actors burrowing with their whole bodies, minds and imaginations into
Shakespeare's most beloved speeches, scenes and sonnets, often to emerge
with a resoundingly fresh grasp of the work. And, of course, it is the
high risk factor for participant and teacher that fuels the programs
with such high octane energy.
Among the subjects Ms. Berry takes up with her stellar cast of actors
are the fundamentals of meter and rhythm and how they inform character,
the structure of speech, how imagery shapes action and character, how
vowels convey emotion, humor through rhythm and underplay, and how sound
and meaning are linked to feeling. The actors share their questions and
ideas in discussions throughout the workshops about the exercises, the
texts, the roles they play, and their experiences in bringing
Shakespeare to life. Andrew Wade's Voice Preparation Workshop offers
direct stimulating guidance for actors at all levels who wish to realize
their vocal potential. The five-DVD set also includes two workbooks that
break down and expand on the subjects covered on screen. The workshops
are also available as individual DVD editions.
"We assume," says Berry "that a sophisticated intellectual background is
required to grapple with Shakespeare on stage. But there is a much
deeper, almost primal response-as available to inner city English
students as to their counterparts in private school-the sound and rhythm
in Shakespeare's language which arouses our emotions-feelings of anger
and sorrow, of passion and laughter. How do performers excite the
audience with Shakespeare's rich imagery and dynamic rhythm and yet make
it real for the twenty-first century? Our bodies and minds shall answer
that question."
"Aside from our educational aims, it was a way of testing the primal
hypothesis," said Executive Producer Glenn Young, "that Americans have a
genetic deficiency when it comes to performing Shakespeare, that we are
doomed to mutter four letter words in contemporary plays, while our
British cousins control classical discourse on stage. Of course, you
don't root for Americans or Brits; you root for courage and truthfulness."
"Take your liberty!" Cicely exhorts her star students before beginning
their first acting lesson. The result is an ebullient collision of
intellectual longing, vocal experiment and visceral liberation.
You are encouraged to preview each of the five educational workshops at
the Working Arts Library website at www.workingartsvideo.com. Photo
stills and video clips may be obtained to illustrate reviews and
features. (For media contemplating a review who may require more
extensive samples, please contact Kay Radtke at
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WORKING SHAKESPEARE was directed by Tom Todoroff, edited by Stan Warnow,
and line produced by Walter Cohen. Casting by Olivia Harris and
Siobbhan Bracke.
Cicely Berry's 128-page Teacher's Companion describes the mechanics of
each performance exercise and discusses the pedagogical intention and
instructional outcome of each.
Cicely Berry is available for interview.
WORKING SHAKESPEARE is the debut offering from THE WORKING ARTS LIBRARY,
whose mission is to offer humanities, English literature, and theatre
arts programs with the teaching methods and guidance of internationally
known professionals. In September, Working Arts will launch THE
SHAKESPEARE SESSIONS with RSC co-founder John Barton and Sir Peter Hall,
as well as Michael Chekhov's five-hour CD Master Class, ON THEATRE AND
THE ART OF ACTING with the acclaimed actor-director-teacher in October.
The Working Arts Library is helmed by Applause Books founder and
Publisher Emeritus, Glenn Young.
The Working Arts Library at Applause 19 W. 21st St, Suite 201, New
York City 10010 Ph: 212 575 9265
www.workingartsvideo.com
R. Dekker Dreyer
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Danda Motion Pictures Ltd.
305 Madison Ave. #449
New York, NY 10165
V:(212) 465-2503
F:(212) 957-1912
_______________________________________________________________
S H A K S P E R: The Global Shakespeare Discussion List
Hardy M. Cook,
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The S H A K S P E R Web Site <http://www.shaksper.net>
DISCLAIMER: Although SHAKSPER is a moderated discussion list, the
opinions expressed on it are the sole property of the poster, and the
editor assumes no responsibility for them.
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