Word: shakespeareans
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Something novel in Shakespearean recordings has been introduced in the Margaret Webster "Romeo and Juliet," put out by the Atlantic Recording Corporation. For the first time a conscious effort has been made to recreate, as much as possible, the atmosphere of an actual theatrical production of the play. To do this, Miss Webster uses a battery of four super-sensitive microphones, set up in footlight fashion before the actors. The result of this new technique is greater freedom of movement, and Miss Webster's goal of achieving the feeling of a stage performance is partially accomplished...
Caricature unfortunately does not work so well in the upper classes as in the lower. All the minor nobility seem to have fixed ideas of just how a Shakespearean actor gesticulates, and pattern their actions accordingly. Thayer David and John Lasell, however, happily have clear conceptions of the characters of Henry IV and Hal. The result is a subtle but clear change in the Prince's character which arises from his relationship with his father...
This production transcends the usual run of Shakespearean presentations in taste, beauty and imagination. Many of the misgivings one is likely to have in advance about a production like this--misgivings based on the star system and certain excesses or limitations of style in contemporary productions of Shakespeare--are unconfirmed...
...semaphore school of Shakespearean gestures is represented by Jack Hawkins who plays Mercutio. Mr. Hawkins also subscribes to the school which supplements Shakespeare's images with diagrams swiftly drawn on an imaginary blackboard. This is especially disconcerting when he illustrates the abundant sexual images in a way which leads one to believe that he does not know their meaning. He redeems himself, however, by playing the death scene quite nicely; much of his success here and in other spots is due to the necessary relaxation of his grating voice and moving hands...
Much of the superiority of this production is due to the direction of Peter Glenville. He has worked out beautiful and effective movement for his actors, and he has shown a high level of imagination in planning scenes and creating atmosphere. The costumes are the most beautiful and tasteful Shakespearean costumes that I have yet seen. They have, in addition to excellent design, the virtues of simplicity and harmony, with each other, the set, and the moods. This may be because the settings (which are excellent), and the costumes, are done by one person, Oliver Messel...