KidCthulhu
First Post
This sounds like a very interesting idea, Blackshirt. But be sure to give some time to Mercutio, who is my favorite character in R&J.
Benvolio(new look at Romeo and Juliet)?
- Thread starter blackshirt5
- Start date
Eridanis
Bard 7/Mod (ret) 10/Mgr 3
Interesting idea. I haven't read the play in years, but here are some general comments.
1. Do you plan to write it in modern language, or use the Shakepearean style? If the latter, make sure you are heavily steeped in the language (performing in several plays, speaking the speeches, listening to it read aloud). Also, look at Christopher Fry's plays (especially The Lady's Not for Burning) as examples of how a 20th century playwright can make the language his own.
2. There's a fascinating series of books called PLAYERS ON SHAKESPEARE. It's in our volumes, and they consist of essay by actors about roles they've played (Patrick Stewart has one on his portrayal of Shylock). I know there's an essay on Mercutio in one of those; it's useful to see the insider's perspective on the world of the play, both from the point of view of the character and the actor. (Michael Huffington's books HAMLET and TWELFTH NIGHT are sublime reading in this vein.)
3. Ask knowledgable people to look at the work you're doing. Let it marinate. It's a big project, but one that might bear interesting fruit. If you ever want to run something past me, I would be honored to read and comment (years of Shaekspeare productions as actor, director, and teacher under my belt).
Oh, and Hyp - you're a savant. I humbly bow before you.
1. Do you plan to write it in modern language, or use the Shakepearean style? If the latter, make sure you are heavily steeped in the language (performing in several plays, speaking the speeches, listening to it read aloud). Also, look at Christopher Fry's plays (especially The Lady's Not for Burning) as examples of how a 20th century playwright can make the language his own.
2. There's a fascinating series of books called PLAYERS ON SHAKESPEARE. It's in our volumes, and they consist of essay by actors about roles they've played (Patrick Stewart has one on his portrayal of Shylock). I know there's an essay on Mercutio in one of those; it's useful to see the insider's perspective on the world of the play, both from the point of view of the character and the actor. (Michael Huffington's books HAMLET and TWELFTH NIGHT are sublime reading in this vein.)
3. Ask knowledgable people to look at the work you're doing. Let it marinate. It's a big project, but one that might bear interesting fruit. If you ever want to run something past me, I would be honored to read and comment (years of Shaekspeare productions as actor, director, and teacher under my belt).
Oh, and Hyp - you're a savant. I humbly bow before you.
blackshirt5
First Post
I plan on writing it in Shakesperean style, like the Romeo and Juliet movie that came out with Claire Danes and Leonardo Dicaprio.
Hypersmurf
Moderatarrrrh...
Eridanis said:Oh, and Hyp - you're a savant. I humbly bow before you.
Um?
Not that I mind the adulation, but what did I do?
-Hyp.
Hypersmurf
Moderatarrrrh...
Eridanis said:Quoting Stoppard and Brust in one thread. High marks in my book.
Well, it's been truthfully said on more than one occasion - there was never a thread written that couldn't benefit from more Brust quotes
-Hyp.
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