Author: duane

Did Branagh Steal Judi Dench’s Much Ado Idea?

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via reddit user Does_Requests_Badly

Dame Judi claims he did. I can’t tell how tongue-in-cheek we’re supposed to take this, but the legendary actress says that not only did Branagh not like being directed by her, but he “stole all my ideas for the film.” I’m sure it’s all in good fun.

What bugs me is that the article does not go into detail about exactly what sort of ideas. Are we talking about the idea to shoot it in a home? Or individual notes on character portrayals? That is what I’d like to read about! Remember when Patrick Stewart was going around telling everybody how Ian McKellen taught him how to do Macbeth?  I love that kind of stuff.

This year’s Shakespeare posting marathon is sponsored by “Shakespeare is Universal.” Help us prove that Shakespeare makes life better. Buy a t-shirt and support cancer research.

Giveaway! Win A Set of Bard’s Cards

~ duane ~ 2 Comments

Susan does the Shakespeare, Sam does the drawings. Together they produce Bard’s Cards, a line of greeting cards decorated with our favorite quotes from Shakespeare.

AND, for Shakespeare’s Birthday they’re giving some away!  Just head over to the site and follow the rules.  It’s one of those dealies where the more you share it the more you have a chance to win.

Good luck!  But I’m telling you right now Susan, if you sneak in any Not By Shakespeare on my geeks, you’re going to hear about it!  I’d better not see any “When I saw you I fell in love and you smiled because you knew” or any of that other silliness!

This year’s Shakespeare posting marathon is sponsored by “Shakespeare is Universal.” Help us prove that Shakespeare makes life better. Buy a t-shirt and support cancer research.

Geeklet Overload

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My oldest daughter has gone a bit Shakespeare insane lately, and I’m ok with it.

1) She’s currently writing a time-travelling young adult novel that features the characters from Midsummer Night’s Dream coming to life (out of the imagination of Mr. William Shakespeare) and growing up as regular everyday high school kids with no knowledge of their “true” selves until they’re called upon to save Shakespeare’s daughter Susannah.

2) She brought home a *shudder* Modern English translation of Midsummer from school.  I held it up with two fingers like a bit of rotten banana peel and demanded to know who’d brought such a thing into my house.  She told me that she had so many questions she didn’t want to keep pestering me.  I said, “Yeah but I have like 5 versions of this play over on the bookshelf you could have used one of those.”

3) She has taken to quizzing both her fellow students and teachers alike on Shakespeare. What is she asking them?  “What’s the name of the witch in The Tempest?” and “What’s Lady Macbeth’s real name?” I suggested that maybe she should let them crawl before she asks them to sprint. We toned it down to “What’s the name of the girl Romeo likes before he meets Juliet?” and “Is Mercutio a Montague or a Capulet?”  and yes that second one is a trick question.

4) She found out that in 8th grade they read Romeo and Juliet.  She’s in 6th grade now.  She’s already anticipating just how well she’s going to do in that class!

This year’s Shakespeare posting marathon is sponsored by “Shakespeare is Universal.” Help us prove that Shakespeare makes life better. Buy a t-shirt and support cancer research.

Teller’s Tempest – I’ll Be In The Front Row!

Happy Shakespeare Day
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via reddit user roanoan

Quick history lesson:

Here’s my reaction in 2007 when I learned that Teller, of Penn & Teller fame, was going to direct Macbeth.

Here’s my review of that production in 2010.

Here’s my reaction earlier this year when I learned that Teller’s next play would be my personal favorite, The Tempest.

I’ve got tickets!  Front row, even!  Can’t wait.

Until then, here’s a review of the show as it currently plays in Vegas. I only read the beginning because I don’t want any spoilers. I hope it’s good!

This year’s Shakespeare posting marathon is sponsored by “Shakespeare is Universal.” Help us prove that Shakespeare makes life better. Buy a t-shirt and support cancer research.

This Year, Shakespeare’s Going To Make Some Lives Better

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Shakespeare is Universal #2

http://teespring.com/shakespeareisuniversal

I’m happy to announce our Second Annual, Limited Edition “Shakespeare Is Universal” t-shirt.  Did you get your hands on one of last years? Are all your friends crazy jealous? Now’s the chance for you to feed that green-eyed monster.  This year’s design features an original casting of Shakespeare’s portrait into a constellation of stars, decorated along the edges with all your favorite Shakespeare quotes about those very same stars.  A special thanks to my friend Peter Phelan for all his hard work in making the design!

And now for the really good stuff!

It’s long been the mission of Shakespeare Geek to prove that Shakespeare makes life better, and this year I’ve decided to back that up. Once we make our goal this year, part of the proceeds from this sale  are going directly to support cancer research.

Help us make the direct connection between Shakespeare’s words, and real change in people’s lives.  Buy this year’s shirt, then make all your friends buy it too. Then buy some for your family.

This year Shakespeare, and you, are going to make some lives better.