a shakespearean play to mount in school?

[springfieldva]

Originally Posted by DivronOrl

you did not get the point. i wasn't disagreeing with anyone here and i truly appreciate the opinions raised,. i just mentioned that the class is already steady on A&C, yet they can't give a concrete explanation that is why i opened this topic up. get it?

Have them narrow it down to their top two choices and then have them do a list of pros/cons for each play. That'll give them an idea at least as to why they are choosing one play over another.

[Fear&Whiskey]

Originally Posted by springfieldva

I've always enjoyed Shakespeare's sense of humor, so I would probably prefer a comedy over one of his tragedies although I can appreciate those, too.

You're right about girls being able to play the male roles. And the few female characters in Othello are pretty interesting, so it could work...

For romance I'd have gone for 'Twelfth Night' if it wasn't a comedy. I think it's Shakespeare's best comedy and also one of the few that has actually made me genuinely laugh rather than give me a wry smile as if to say "That was very clever". As a big fan of Oscar Wilde it is clear that this play had a huge impact and influence on his work.

Oscar Wilde also has a few tips for any budding producer of 'Anthony and Cleopatra' amongst other plays, chiefly:- 'In many of the somewhat violent attacks that have recently been made on that splendour of mounting which now characterises our Shakespearian revivals in England, it seems to have been tacitly assumed by the critics that Shakespeare himself was more or less indifferent to the costumes of his actors, and that, could he see Mrs. Langtry's production of Antony and Cleopatra, he would probably say that the play, and the play only, is the thing, and that everything else is leather and prunella.'

The Truth of Masks by Oscar Wilde : Arthur's Classic Novels

I also think 'King Lear' would be a great choice. The King Of France's knee bowed declaration of love for Cordelia is a very romantic moment. I think this play would resonate with a younger audience.

[Bunjee]

My first thought is Hamlet. Lots of action, no real romance but a romantic "situation" between Hamlet and Ophelia, two strong female characters, flexibility to make Rosencratz and Guildenstern female (plus other non-lead pairs), and everybody dies. In fact, I'd advertise it as "Hamlet (Everybody Dies)". I'd even create a side-stage where the dead characters appear after they die, silently remaining in character as this purgatory populates. After all, kids who want to be on stage want to stay on stage. Throw 'em a bone.

You could do some real leg work and do a complete gender reversal of the play. A male Ophelia and Gertrude could be fascinating. It could appeal to modern sensibilities about gender roles. Would power structures be different in such a world? Would Hamlet's soliloquy acquire new dimensions?