The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 15.0572 Monday, 1 March 2004
From: Janelle Jenstad <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Friday, 27 Feb 2004 10:26:20 -0800
Subject: 15.0512 Rome & Jewels
Comment: Re: SHK 15.0512 Rome & Jewels
"I saw "Rome and Jewels" at the Power Centre in Ann Arbor, Michigan in
January 2002. Jewels never shows up, nor do any of Shakespeare's words.
You do get very loud hip-hop and rap music, lots of dancing
(supposedly face-offs between rap and hip-hop dance teams, although I'm
not a dance fan and couldn't distinguish between the two styles), and a
deejay spinning records. The one really clever moment used a close
spotlight shining on Rome's face to represent the light that breaks
through yonder window. The most interesting aspect of the evening was
watching the other playgoers struggle to make sense of their experience.
The same people who turn up for the RSC residency at U. Michigan bought
tix for "Rome and Jewels," but this time they were joined by a large
contingent of hip-hop fans who had come for Renny Harris and Pure
Movement: both groups were puzzled, but not for the same reasons, I
suspect.
A theatre director friend in New Jersey thought the show was terrific; I
didn't, but then I'm rather attached to art forms that entail words.
Janelle Day Jenstad
University of Victoria (formerly of University of Windsor)
_______________________________________________________________
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.
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.
