The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 21.0305 Friday, 23 July 2010
[1] From: David Evett <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: July 20, 2010 5:46:27 PM EDT
Subj: Re: SHK 21.0295 Two Gents at Stratford Festival
[2] From: Harry Rusche <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: July 21, 2010 6:59:14 PM EDT
Subj: RE: SHK 21.0295 Two Gents at Stratford Festival
[3] From: Arlynda Boyer <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: July 21, 2010 9:44:31 PM EDT
Subj: Re: SHK 21.0295 Two Gents at Stratford Festival
[4] From: Justin Alexander <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: July 22, 2010 3:49:59 AM EDT
Subj: Re: SHK 21.0295 Two Gents at Stratford Festival
[1]-----------------------------------------------------------------
From: David Evett <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: July 20, 2010 5:46:27 PM EDT
Subject: 21.0295 Two Gents at Stratford Festival
Comment: Re: SHK 21.0295 Two Gents at Stratford Festival
>However, all the versions of Two Gents I've seen used a live dog.
>The part isn't very big and requires little training."
Abigail Quart's experience is sadly inadequate. Twenty years or so back, somebody at
Stratford, ONT (Edward Atienza?) used a toy dog on a flexible steel lead, with which
the doggie performed many beguiling darts and swoops. It was hilarious, and avoided
every comic actor's (and stage-hand's) pet peeve.
David Evett
[2]-------------------------------------------------------------
From: Harry Rusche <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: July 21, 2010 6:59:14 PM EDT
Subject: 21.0295 Two Gents at Stratford Festival
Comment: RE: SHK 21.0295 Two Gents at Stratford Festival
However, does anyone remember (because I don't) that there was indeed a trained bear
that Shakespeare wrote into the play as a bit of extra stage business? Professor
Hawkes, where are you when I need you? I certainly understand the rather pointed
(perhaps sarcastic) remark by Ms. Quart, but this is now and I am thinking about
then.
[3]-------------------------------------------------------------
From: Arlynda Boyer <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: July 21, 2010 9:44:31 PM EDT
Subject: 21.0295 Two Gents at Stratford Festival
Comment: Re: SHK 21.0295 Two Gents at Stratford Festival
When the American Shakespeare Center staged it a few years ago, they took the
suggestion of an animal-loving staffer who had worked at the county shelter: they
used a different shelter dog each week (prescreened for a laidback attitude toward
applause and teachability), and announced in the pre-show that the dog on stage was
looking for a loving home and was ready to adopt. It was a wonderful idea, and I
believe all the dogs were adopted by the end of the run.
Arlynda Boyer
[4]-------------------------------------------------------------
From: Justin Alexander <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: July 22, 2010 3:49:59 AM EDT
Subject: 21.0295 Two Gents at Stratford Festival
Comment: Re: SHK 21.0295 Two Gents at Stratford Festival
Abigail Quart wrote:
>However, all the versions of Two Gents I've seen used a live dog. The
>part isn't very big and requires little training.
On the other hand, the line "he is a stone, a very pebble stone" is arguably even
funnier when the dog is stuffed.
Justin Alexander
American Shakespeare Repertory
http://www.american-shakespeare.org
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