Description
Book SynopsisFrom
A Midsummer Night''s Dream''s Puck to
Othello''s Desdemona, this new edition of
Speaking Shakespeare gives you all the necessary tools to bring any of Shakespeare''s eclectic characters to life. Patsy Rodenburg uses practical exercises and textual analysis to hone in on your dramatic resonance, breathing and placement in order to unlock your potential for playing these iconic characters. Speeches and scenes such as Mark Antony''s ''O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth'' and the bloody scene in which Macbeth admits to Lady Macbeth that he has ''done the deed'' are placed in context and discussed in depth.Combining clear practical, textual and imaginative work with a brilliant analysis of scenes and speeches from the whole range of Shakespeare's plays, this is an essential and inspiring guide for anyone working on his plays today. It brings a renewed focus on the language of power, so frequently spoken in the worlds of politicians and company directors, wh
Trade ReviewWhat leaves actors tongue-tied for years, Patsy releases in minutes ... through simple, practical actions that can empower anyone. * Simon McBurney *
Her knowledge of the plays as living theatrical artifacts is profound...
Speaking Shakespeare stands up as a work of art in itself - admirably written and cliche-free, especially in the gripping final section, when she takes speeches and scenes from various plays, analyses and illuminates them... It cannot be too highly recommended. * Times Literary Supplement *
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Preface
Part One: Foundation Craft Foundation Craft The Body The State of Readiness Breath Support Freeing the Voice Consolidation Deepening the Work Range and Resonance Clear Speech Listening Hamlet's Advice
Part Two: Structure The Givens The Word Alliteration, Assonance, Onomatopoeia Rhythm Pauses and Irregularities of Rhythm The Line The Thought and Structuring of Thoughts The Structure of Scenes Antithesis Rhyme Prose Irony Puns Language Games Repetition The Story Location Stage Directions, Props, Entrances and Exits Soliloquy
Part 3: The Imaginative The Imaginative Exploration of the Text Anchoring the Text Owning the Text from Character's Experience Focus and Energy Summary
Part Four: The Speeches Richard III Julius Caesar Measure for Measure King Lear As You Like It Much Ado About Nothing The Merchant of Venice Othello Henry V The Winter's Tale Macbeth Twelfth Night A Midsummer Night's Dream Antony and Cleopatra Coriolanus Cymbeline King John
Part Five: Checklists Preparing the Body, Breath, Voice and Speech The Givens The Imaginative
