The Bard - if not a writely so at least a literati thread

[Liar]

Yeah baby, William motherfucking Shakespeare.

When i don't work as a journalist or fuck about on porn sites, I'm an occasionally hired playwriter and stage director and sometimes type-casted actor. Like 95% of the culture workers over here, it's nothing that can afford me to pay the rent.

But I just had a streak of luck. My home town is having a culture festival next spring, and I have been commissioned to produce and direct a Shakespeare play as part of the program. And they pay so well too tyhat I just can't say no. I have a small ensemble of professional actors at my disposal, as well as a network of if I may say so very talented amateurs to choose from for casting additional roles.

Other than that, I have free reins.

Now, my Shakespearian experience is strictly as an occasional audience at the theatre or movie adaptions, and I have yet to see all of his stage work, or read it.

But now I have to pick one of his plays in a matter of days, because the city is beginning to print promotional material for the festival right after the summer vacation season is over.

So, dear literati... any suggestions? I'm thinking a comedy of some kind. And none of the top 5 most obvious choices.

At the top of my head, Much Ado About Nothing would be a good one. It's light, fun, witty, pretty easy for a semi-amateur cast to get their heads around, and it has a certain sex appeal.

And yeah, there are no "family fun" restrictions. In fact, the edgier the better, so I can pretty much porn it up any way I want.

 

[Liar]

And last but not least, woo for me, for getting paid to practice my favorite hobby.

Now, if only my band could ever get a decent breakthrough, I'd be the happiest fucker on earth.

 

[tickledkitty]

Congratulations. I think you should go with your first instinct.

 

[neonlyte]

And last but not least, woo for me, for getting paid to practice my favorite hobby.

Now, if only my band could ever get a decent breakthrough, I'd be the happiest fucker on earth.

Congrats, Liar... Much Ado is worth the effort.

You're saying 'woo' now... wait till you get into rehearsal Sometimes money isn't enough.

 

[Liar]

Congrats, Liar... Much Ado is worth the effort.

You're saying 'woo' now... wait till you get into rehearsal Sometimes money isn't enough.

Muahahah. Been there, got the scars, bruises and ulcers.

And still, I do it all over again.

 

[rgraham666]

Very cool, Liar.

I don't think you can go wrong with Much Ado.

 

[Guest]

Very cool, Liar.

I don't think you can go wrong with Much Ado.

Agreed.

And COOL BEANS!

One of our area high schools just did an exceptional version of Romeo and Juliet. They even studied swordplay, used real swords, and you could see the sparks clang during the scenes. Very nice.

I got permission to take my drama class - you never turn down the chance to see live Shakespeare. With a little background info (we studied the play first) they were educated viewers and got a great deal more out of the experience.

I envy you. My students are a bit on the young side to tackle something of that weight.

Break a leg.

 

[oggbashan]

Much Ado is my favourite Shakespeare comedy.

I have two versions on DVD, one a present from a daughter for my last birthday.

Og

 

[Liar]

Much Ado is my favourite Shakespeare comedy.

I have two versions on DVD, one a present from a daughter for my last birthday.

Og

Which two versions are that? Been snooping around here aswell as in the UK market, and I can only find one.

 

[sr71plt]

I was involved for several years in the summer British-company Shakespeare productions at the Curium theater (an ancient Greek ampitheatre overlooking the Mediterranean on the northern Cypriot coast). "Much Ado" was popular, but, by far the most requested and best-attended Shakespeare production was "A Midsummer's Night Dream."

 

[Guest]

That's awesome, Liar! Go you!

Chuffed to bits for ya, mate.

 

[Liar]

Chuffed to bits for ya, mate.

What and what now? Sounds kinky.

 

[oggbashan]

What and what now? Sounds kinky.

Translation: She is exceedingly pleased for you.

Og

PS. Searching my extensive DVD collection. I have the BBC Shakespeare of Much Ado but two versions of As You Like It - the BBC version and the J M Barrie Adaptation performed by Lawrence Olivier and Elizabeth Bergner. Now I have to check my videos for the other Much Ado.

 

[oggbashan]

Checked my videos. I have the Kenneth Branagh film of Much Ado About Nothing as well as the BBC Shakespeare DVD.

Og

 

[ishtat]

Shrews

The Taming of the Shrew is particularly good if you have two very strong actors for the lead roles. It's also a play in which those two characters can appeal to the audience and get a lot of involvement.

Some of the ladies of lit could tell you how to direct it perhaps!

 

[jomar]

YouTube some of it for us.

 

[gauchecritic]

Twelfth Night.

 

[Frank Noir]

Yeah baby, William motherfucking Shakespeare.

When i don't work as a journalist or fuck about on porn sites, I'm an occasionally hired playwriter and stage director and sometimes type-casted actor. Like 95% of the culture workers over here, it's nothing that can afford me to pay the rent.

But I just had a streak of luck. My home town is having a culture festival next spring, and I have been commissioned to produce and direct a Shakespeare play as part of the program. And they pay so well too tyhat I just can't say no. I have a small ensemble of professional actors at my disposal, as well as a network of if I may say so very talented amateurs to choose from for casting additional roles.

Other than that, I have free reins.

Now, my Shakespearian experience is strictly as an occasional audience at the theatre or movie adaptions, and I have yet to see all of his stage work, or read it.

But now I have to pick one of his plays in a matter of days, because the city is beginning to print promotional material for the festival right after the summer vacation season is over.

So, dear literati... any suggestions? I'm thinking a comedy of some kind. And none of the top 5 most obvious choices.

At the top of my head, Much Ado About Nothing would be a good one. It's light, fun, witty, pretty easy for a semi-amateur cast to get their heads around, and it has a certain sex appeal.

And yeah, there are no "family fun" restrictions. In fact, the edgier the better, so I can pretty much porn it up any way I want.

In that case, go for one of the so-called "problem plays" or "dark comedies" - like "Measure for Measure".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Measure_for_Measure

(Weird choice, I know. But I can't help it - my dad was a Shakespeare geek!)