Boxing Shakespeare

…so, I have to comment here on how much I love the idea behind his new blog, Stalking the Bard. I, too, embrace the most unoriginal sentiment of loving all things Shakespeare. In fact, when I visited Stratford-upon-Avon during the brief time I lived in England during college, I was so overcome that I gobbled up every ridiculous Shakespearean souvenir I could get my credit-enabled hands on: quill pen, journal with quotes in the corners, socks with the Bard’s little blue head embroidered all over them. (As an aside: Those socks were worth every penny — since I still have them & still wear them fairly regularly, yet they remain hole-free. If you’re ever in Stratford looking for something fun and Bardy, go for the socks, you won’t regret it.)

Anyway, Scott’s goal is to see every Shakespeare play performed live, at least once in his life. I’ve seen at least a few plays in my time:

  • Antony and Cleopatra — at the Globe in London, as a “groundling” (ie. standing in the middle of the open air theatre, getting rained on)… a truly amazing experience!
  • The Merchant of Venice – on the other hand, this was a truly forgettable experience, despite the fact that (or maybe because?) I saw it at the Royal National Theatre. I remembered being at the theatre to see a play with my Shakespeare class, but I actually had to dig out my memorabilia from London to find out what play it was. for shame.
  • Othello – at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, in Stratford-upon-Avon. This was incredible — and the only play “required” of all the students in my study abroad program. So, as amazing as the play was, I was equally amazed by the number of dolts who couldn’t sit through the 3 hours, inc. intermission, without whining incessantly. Thus, I drowned them out by purchasing souvenirs. Lots and lots of souvenirs.
  • The Tempest — the only play I’ve seen through the Philly Shakespeare Festival, which has turned me into a loyal festival goer. This was my birthday present last year from the Little Mister, and we’re excitedly planning our return. The size of the theatre, and the dynamic performance made us instant loyalists — even though the Little Mister isn’t as much a Bard lover as I. This year, I think we’re going to Festival’s Othello…. and I may even try to hit up a few of the new Monday night events.

    • It’s funny, making this list, I realize I haven’t seen as many plays as I thought I had (at least not that I can clearly remember from my adult life…) I feel like I’ve seen other plays, but I’m not sure if I saw them in grade school or high school and just can’t remember clearly… or if my brain is muddied by the various on-screen representations from the likes of Branagh, Gibson, Zeffirelli, Luhrmann, etc. etc.

    Either way, Scott’s project sounds like so much fun, I’m tempted to copy him. But, I won’t. Instead, I just wanted to throw my support behind the noble effort.