The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 16.1834  Tuesday, 8 November 2005

From: 		Sandra Sparks <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: 		Friday, 4 Nov 2005 08:49:00 -0500
Subject: 16.1820 The Rude Mechanicals
Comment: 	RE: SHK 16.1820 The Rude Mechanicals

Speaking of the actual Rude Mechanicals:

It is my belief that the Rude Mechanicals of "Midsummer" and the company 
of players in "Hamlet" both exhibit a trait of performances before the 
playwrights of Shakespeare's time started developing the modern form of 
theater: because crowds tended to be noisy and have short attention 
spans, especially when the plays were done in the open during market 
fairs, a brief version of the play would be given to get people's 
attention, then the full play would be given for those who planned to 
stick around!

What scholars have done work on this subject?

Thanks,
Sandra

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