Playing Shakespeare: Fall 2019

Word of Mouth

Episode One
The Royal Shakespeare Company gives a workshop on Shakespeare's verse before an invited audience. It is led by RSC joint artistic director Trevor Nunn, with fellow directors John Barton and Terry Hands.

The actors are Alan Howard, Jane Lapotaire, Ian McKellan, Michael Pennington, Patrick Stewart and David Suchet.'

Episode Two
'The Royal Shakespeare Company gives its second masterclass on performing Shakespeare before an invited audience.

Director John Barton works on a scene from 'Troilus and Cressida' with Alan Howard, Michael Pennington, Ian McKellan, Patrick Stewart and David Suchet.

Ian McKellan describes the thoughts and ideas that run through an actor's mind as he prepares for a major soliloquy, and Patrick Stewart contrast two different performances of the speech by Enobarbus from 'Antony and Cleopatra.'

The programme is introduced by Trevor Nunn.

Playing Shakespeare

Episode Three
The Two Traditions
Contrasting Shakespeare's elevated language with modern naturalistic speech.

Episode Four
Using the Verse
John Barton and company examine blank verse. Its strengths and particularities are discussed in great detail. Members of the cast try out various readings.

Episode Five
Language and Character
John Barton and the cast discuss how Shakespeare defines his character by the language they speak, and how the characters attempt to achieve their aims by means of what they say and how they say it.

Episode Six
Exploring a Character
John Barton, Patrick Stewart, and David Suchet explore different ways to play Shylock in Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice".

Episode Seven
Set Speeches and Soliloquies
John Barton and members of the RSC present a workshop on how Shakespeare used the soliloquy to directly connect the character with the audience.

Episode Eight
Irony and Ambiguity
John Barton and the RSC actors consider the subtle shadings produced by irony, ambiguity and sarcasm, and how best to express them.

Episode Nine
Passion and Coolness
Hamlet's advice to the players is the best-known acting instruction in theatrical history. John Barton and the RSC actors explore this essential mandate to be both natural and intellectual.

Episode Ten
Rehearsing the Text
John Barton and the actors analyze a scene from Twelfth Night, identifying pointers towards character and staging.

Episode Eleven
Poetry and Hidden Poetry
The bard's unparalleled poetry is celebrated and examined in its glory.