"See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand!O that I were a glove upon that hand,
that I might touch that cheek!"
"Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight!/ For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night."
"O! she doth teach the torches to burn bright"
"O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name.
Or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love
And I'll no longer be a Capulet."
Phrases so familiar...they were echoed again for all to hear last week during a Shakespeare festival in an outside venue that we attended. However, this Romeo and Juliet was unlike any I had seen before. It was Shakespeare but set in modern times. An interesting twist on a centuries old love story. Whether the lovers are in the 17th century or the 21st...it is amazing how the issues of families, traditions and rival gangs ring true when it comes to relationships.
Dan
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23 comments:
Wonderful! I was convinced the first photo was a real couple until I read the lines beneath it.
Wow- that's a neat post there. It's been a while, sorry about my absence. Still settling. I would have loved to see this play being put on. Some old classics never lose their flare- old truths still ring true.
A different kind of post...I like it! I think modernization of older plays is awesome in order to peak the interest of a younger audience. I think generation-textmsg should become more involved in the English classics, whether acting or watching. Nice post.
Shakespeare adapts so well to all times. Great post and photos!
Scattering...It was a different experience than I have ever had watching Shakespeare...I like the original better but I enjoyed seeing it brought up to date.
Dan
Dani...it is great to see you back again..I know you have been very busy. Hope things are settling down for you. Welcome back.
Dan
Pura...Shakespeare is a great place for a budding actor to begin...he has it all...drama, suspense, sadness, panic..humor...a young actor gets to try it all with Shakespeare.
Dan
Septembermom...you are right...amazing how he has hung in there over the years!
Dan
Reminds me of:
"A lovestruck Romeo, sings the streets of serenade
Laying everybody low with a love song that he made
Find a streetlight, steps out of the shade
Says something like, "You and me,
babe, how about it?"
Love it! Great photos.
Shakespeare is so steamy...
Great set of pictures. I would have difficulties now managing a whole festival... 20 years or so ago I would have absolutely loved it! For a period then I went to the theatre a lot... Don't think I ever saw the whole of Romeo and Juliet live but I did see Hamlet and King Lear and I think one or two more Shakespeare plays.
Patty...Bill S. would be proud!
Dan
Sabrina...you are right...he was the Harlequin novelist of his day!
Dan
Dawn Treader...were the plays in English? I often have trouble with the Old Language...and I speak English as a native language!
Dan
Fantastic photos! I kind of like the new look of Romeo & Juliet. I try to give new spins on things an open mind.
You're right, some issues never seem to change.
Shabbygirl...right...still applies today...the clashing of two families once the vows are announced!
Dan
I'm always open to new things. This sounds interesting. Love the photos-- especially the second one.
Dan, I think the Shakespeare plays I saw live on stage were all in Swedish. I have seen film/TV versions in English though. Knowing the basic plot in advance helps, and so do film subtexts. King Lear, Macbeth, Anthony & Cleopatra and Othello I have in separate pocket editions from my English university studies. But I also have all Shakespeare's 37 plays and 160 sonnets and poems in one illustrated volume in very small print... I have NOT read them all! But it's great if I want to look something up...
Thanks Tricia and CONGRATS on your one year blogging anniversary!!
Dan
Dawn Treader...I don't know about you but I appreciate Shakespeare now but when I was in college...I just couldn't identify with him even though I was an English Lit. minor. At that age, I just couldn't step back and see how his work still holds true today. I guess it was the times and my narrow focus during that period of turmoil in the 60's.
Dan
Dan, I was 26 the first time I studied a Shakespeare play "in depth" in the original language. (It was King Lear and we had a teacher/lecturer who had studied at Oxford, England.) My years of study did not all follow in a straight line; I had some years of work experience in between.
Dawn Treader...I entered college right out of high school because it was the thing to do..looking back I wish I would have waited 3 or 4 years...more mature and serious about school work.
Dan
Not easy to decide beforehand, nor afterwards, what is/would have been the best choice...! Btw I posted part 4 of Me and Languages yesterday. I still haven't got to the college part...
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