The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 13.1862 Monday, 9 September 2002
[1] From: Jan Pick <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Friday, 6 Sep 2002 17:17:22 +0100
Subj: Re: SHK 13.1847 Re: "Modern dress" Syndrome
[2] From: Terence Hawkes <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Saturday, 7 Sep 2002 07:19:38 -0400
Subj: SHK 13.1847 Re: "Modern dress" Syndrome
[1]-----------------------------------------------------------------
From: Jan Pick <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Friday, 6 Sep 2002 17:17:22 +0100
Subject: 13.1847 Re: "Modern dress" Syndrome
Comment: Re: SHK 13.1847 Re: "Modern dress" Syndrome
I have no problem with the comedies in various different times, modern
or otherwise, but I do find the tragedies and histories more difficult.
As soon as you place a play in a context, eg Coriolanus in revolutionary
France, there will be all sorts of expectations and accretions to the
production. A nebulous setting is better. I am afraid I shuddered at
David Farr's justification of the new production of his projected
'Coriolanus' for the RSC. It is a huge play, so yet again they are
squashing it into the smallest space they can and it is going to be
'modern'. A sort of mix of 19th century Prussian, with Japanese feudal
society and he sees it as a militaristic feudal society moving through a
socialist revolution into modern consumerism. I know they keep wanting
to bash home the 'relevance' but 'Coriolanus' is set in ancient Rome for
a purpose and it would be fantastic to see it done without all this
modern garbage piled on top! Oh, and 'The Merry Wives' is set in 1949
with Falstaff leading a gang of spivs. Also in the small space. The
big theatre will have a jolly musical. Young directors so scared of
using the RST. Discuss.
Jan
[2]-------------------------------------------------------------
From: Terence Hawkes <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Saturday, 7 Sep 2002 07:19:38 -0400
Subject: Re: "Modern dress" Syndrome
Comment: SHK 13.1847 Re: "Modern dress" Syndrome
Ted Dykstra wheels out a real golden oldie:
'the truth, the timeless truth, of the play'
Just one example will do, Ted. Otherwise, a spell in the F. R. Leavis
correctional facility looms, I'm afraid.
T. Hawkes
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