Category: Uncategorized

Most of the posts in this category are simply leftovers from a previous era before the site had categories. Over time I plan to reduce that number to zero and remove this category. Until then, here they are. I had to put something in the box.

Are There No Great Roles for Women in Shakespeare?

~ duane ~ Leave a comment

In 2010 Christopher Plummer announced that The Tempest would be his farewell to Shakespeare, because he had reached an age where there were literally no more parts left for him to play.

Are we going to lose Helen Mirren as well? She’s played Cleopatra and Lady M, but at 67 years old what else should she play?  She did get that chance to play a female Prospero in Julie Taymor’s movie.

It’s a good question. The men of course have Lear, Prospero, Polonius, Falstaff, Gloucester… the list goes on. Although, granted, if you start a list with “Lear” it’s going to drop off pretty quickly.

How about Volumnia? That seems an obvious choice. Any others?

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.

Did Branagh Steal Judi Dench’s Much Ado Idea?

~ duane ~ Leave a comment
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.

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

~ duane ~ Leave a comment
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.

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

Happy Shakespeare Day
~ duane ~ Leave a comment
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.