The Wonder of Stratford: The Festival, Shakespeare and Beyond
The Stratford Shakespeare Festival is a unique and entertaining event that made a huge impact in North America for the art of plays and the importance of theatre. The Stratford Festival began as an idea for saving the dying economy in Stratford, Ontario. A businessman called, Tom Patterson, decided to form a local committee to help save the economy. Everything came to head when, “On January 22, 1952, Patterson presented his plan to Stratford City Council, which gave him a grant of $125 to seek artistic advice” (Stratford Festival). The Festival opened for the first time in July of 1953, and it ran for 6 weeks. The festival showcased Shakespeare productions until 1955, when more programs were added. “Musical programs, including jazz and pop concerts, symphony concerts, opera, comic opera and solo performances, were introduced in 1955, and in 1957 the tent theatre was replaced by the Festival Theatre, designed by Canadian architect Robert Fairfield, at a cost of more than
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In 1956, “Plummer played his first big role at Stratford – as Henry V – in 1956 and played frequently with the company as his Broadway and film acting career took off” (News). In 2011, he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, which was the first of its kind, given by Stratford Shakespeare Festival. Along with its unique stage and talent, the Stratford Festival has grown to be more than just a theatre. Since its creation, there have been many additions and extensions to the expenditure. Three more locations: Avon Theatre, Tom Patterson, and Studio Theatre, have been created to continue the success and expand the Festival. Educational Programs have been devised to broaden the experience. The Festival offers various backstage tours and costume and prop tours, in a program called Beyond the Stage. Children and adults, alike, can discover more to the iconic
Concluding the Federal Theatre Project, it has accomplished the goal of introducing theatre to millions who had never seen theatre before. It employed thousands of people, initiated European epic theatre and Living Newspaper theatre techniques to the United States, and for this reason could be seen as a vast achievement.
William Shakespeare, an illustrious and eminent playwright from the Elizabethan Age (16th Century) and part owner of the Globe theatre wrote A Midsummer Night’s Dream in which he portrays the theme of love in many different ways. These include the paternal love seen in the troubled times for Egeus and his rebellious daughter Hermia, true Love displayed with the valiant acts of Lysander and Hermia and the destructive love present in the agonizing acts of Titania towards her desperate lover Oberon. Through the highs and lows of love, the first love we clasp is the paternal love from our family.
Over the past few decades, there's been controversy over whether or not Shakespeare is the real author of his plays. Shakespeare is famously known for his work including, Romeo and Juliet and Julius Caesar. Throughout his work it is clear to see his originality and his extensive education. Some people may use this against him and say that it is impossible for someone of his status to write so greatly about politics and be able to use such character. Through stylometry, proof of his education, the actors, and the death of one of the alleged authors, it is proven that Shakespeare is, in fact, the real and rightful owner of his work.
Shakespeare’s shows have been performed throughout the world including Great Britain. They have been seen in the Globe Theatre in London since the Elizabethan times.
This essay earned a 89/100. it was a lot of work considering the lines from macbeth for textual support.
Four hundred and seven years ago William Shakespeare’s, The Tragedy of Macbeth is performed for the first time at The Globe theatre. The Tragedy of Macbeth capture its audience by using a wide range of emotions giving its audience the uncontrollable feeling of catharsis. This well known tragedy tells the story of a great hero who earns the crown of Cawdor and Glamis because he wins the battle for his people against the scottish; this great thane goes by the name Macbeth. He is once known for his kindness and good heart; but, later transforms to a ruthless tyrant thirsting for more power, killing anyone and everyone who stands in his way including: the current king of.., his best friend, and the innocent. Macbeth proves that it is human nature
“Lecture, concert will tell State Theater History.” Bay City Times 7 Oct. 2010: C1: Print. LaLonde, Pati. “Out with the old.”
Ghosts are illusions that can be deceiving while reading in books; in movies, they can be portrayed as floating, transparent people. On the other hand, in plays, it is quite different. Some plays may have actual people play ghosts or sometimes they may not have anyone play the ghost. In stage productions of William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Macbeth, directors should have an actor portray Banquo’s Ghost because it would help the audience better understand what is happening, the audience is able to see exactly what Macbeth is seeing and it draws the audience’s attention more.
Typical of Shakespeare’s works, the play Macbeth has a protagonist who ultimately experiences a downfall that lead to his demise. The protagonist or tragic hero of this play is Macbeth, once brave and honorable, who eventually becomes tyrannical and feared by many due to what Abrams describes as his “hamartia” or “error of judgment or, as it is often…translated, his tragic flaw.” In this case, Macbeth’s tragic flaw proves to be ambition; however, he cannot be held solely responsible for his downfall. As a result of many outside influential factors, including the witches’ prophecies and a rather coaxing and persuasive wife, one should not hold Macbeth entirely culpable for his actions and tragic end.
The “strong independent woman” is an amalgamation of modern attitudes towards women. Feminist, outspoken, and sexually liberated, this entity breaks the “mother figure” stereotype usually attributed to women. Current society reinforces these unconventional notions, however this was not so in Shakespearian times. In Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, most female characters are portrayed in “unstereotypical” ways. Lady Macbeth’s “unsex me speech” leads her to acquire male attributes throughout the play, Lady Macduff openly criticizes her husband for leaving, and minor characters such as “the sailor’s wife” are inhospitable and unaccommodating. Although this seems to portray support for modern views of women, this is not true. It, in fact, reinforces traditional roles, as every “strong independent woman” within the play is punished. Women that go against “natural gender roles” disrupt order and lose their personal stability. This is evidenced by the actions of Lady Macbeth, minor female characters such as the sailor’s wife and the gentlewoman, and Lady Macduff.
“This tyrant whose sole name blisters our tongues, was once thought honest…” (77). This quote represents the change of Macbeth throughout the play. The use of blood imagery is used to represent the character development of Macbeth from a noble thane to a murdering tyrant. We first see blood imagery characterizing Macbeth when he is called noble for defeating Norway. Then, the idea of un-washable blood shows that Macbeth’s character will change. When Macbeth begins to experience the blood of others on his own hands, it leads him to ultimately become the “villain” or antagonist of the play. Finally, before the death of Macbeth, blood imagery has been used to characterize Macbeth so much that he is now over confident and seems to be fueled by the idea of it. By examining the use of blood imagery, one can determine that blood represents Macbeth’s character development from an honorable thane to a disrespected tyrant.
Shakespeare wrote timeless literature pieces, set in the Elizabethan era. His stories relate to conventional views of Renaissance culture while maintaining a realistic, morphable view concerning issues, such as gender roles. By questioning and challenging Elizabethan hierarchy, stories such as Macbeth posed a threat to stereotypes and ideology while respecting values. Shakespeare's tragedy, Macbeth, explores femininity, gender stereotypes, and allusions to Greek mythology to investigate relativity between cruel behavior and masculinity. (NEED ONE SENTENCE)
“Character is what a man is in the dark.” -Dwight L. Moody. This quote is saying we only know who a person is when the masks come off in the night and are allowed to say and think what they want to think. In many great plays, Darkness is used as a representation of truth or evil, this is a quote from Macbeth and it perfectly sums up how Shakespeare uses darkness. Darkness is used in many books as evil and sleep as the unknown. Shakespeare updates these themes in Macbeth. In the Macbeth William, Shakespeare uses night and sleep to demonstrate the moral code and guilt behind the characters true selves.
Shakespeare can be shown to be a strong influence on many modern aspects of everyday life today, ranging from comedies, tragedies, history, modern television, and many other examples. Shakespeare is well known across the world and will continue to be an influence in the future. His true birthdate is unknown to this day, but his Baptized date was April 26th, 1564 in England.
In 1564, William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon (Hazell 32). It seems that Shakespeare’s career began around the year 1592. This was a tough time for playwrights and actors. There was an outbreak of the bubonic plague which caused concerns for those wanting to watch because of being surrounded by those potentially carrying the disease, thus making it hard for the playwrights and actors to find work (“William Shakespeare.” 653-654).