SHAKESPEARE TODAY

Shakespeare Today

What i think of footage from contemporary productions of Shakespeare plays and what do i notice about them and how do they differ from what i know about the original performance conditions of Shakespeare's work

What do i think of footage from a contemporary production of Shakespeare's plays

Hamlet

Contemporary version of Hamlet-Link

Performance footage from the NT’s 2010 production of Hamlet is used to show a contemporary Shakespeare production, retaining the original language but fusing it with a world we recognise, full of security guards and CCTV cameras. Director Nicholas Hytner explains that a ghost appearing today would be just as terrifying and unprecedented as a ghost appearing to Hamlet in 1601, so the play, which has been in performance for over 400 years, is just as relevant today. All great actors have wanted to play Hamlet, and we see footage of Sir Laurence Olivier, Richard Burton and David Tennant in the role. Hytner explains that his production of Hamlet showed Elsinore to be a highly contemporary dictatorship, where everybody spies on everybody else. This was the world that Shakespeare’s audience would have lived in, with Elizabeth I in complete control. Actors Rory Kinnear (Hamlet) and Ruth Negga (Ophelia) explain that in this production, no-one can live their lives without shadows in the background, everybody is being watched. The actors and director explain that the company researched contemporary examples of dictatorships, where murder and surveillance are used to control the state.-BBC BITESIZE


Using CCTV i find it very experimental and contemporary due to the fact that are using props not from the Elizabethan Era.when watching the clip i also found it very mysterious.

Othello

Othello @ The National Theatre-Link

We see inside the rehearsal room for Nicholas Hytner’s 2013 production of 'Othello' for the National Theatre. The cast and crew are assembled, and Hytner tells the company that the army are absolutely essential to this play. A military advisor is brought in to advise the actors on how to act and dress like contemporary service personnel. Major-General Jonathan Shaw tell the actors how to wear their berets and boots, and we see the performance footage showing the highly accurate costumes in this contemporary production. Director Nicholas Hytner explains that one thing he learnt from Jonathan Shaw is the importance of trust between military personnel. This fed into their interpretation of the play as Iago is able to manipulate Othello due to how much Othello trusts him-BBC BITESIZE

After watching a clip from Othello performed at the National Theatre i decided to look at other versions on it one being Othello at The Lyric Hammersmith performed by Frantic Assembly.
Othello @ Lyric Hammersmith-Link

The short promotional clip looked AMAZING!!!.I gathered a new perspective of how Shakespeare can be performed as they updated it making it contemporary by using physical theatre,Northern accents,contemporary clothing and it looked to be set in a bar.It seemed to be set in the early 200's from the clothes worn.
The stage looked active and appealing,i liked this as i could relate to the setting and there was detailed sceneary/Backdrop to look at.

The difference Now and Then

Clothing
In the clip the actors are wearing clothes related to the time and the slightly represent the characters personality or the stereotype they are to portray.
During Elizabethan Era the clothes worn had to be authorised by law due the status system.
Whereas in the contemporary version the clothes represent the characters personality:the clothes worn during Elizabethan times would represent the characters status.For example if the character was to wear purple they would be of very high status.Fabric and colour showed the audience the immediately the status of the character.Elizabethan Nobles and upper classes wore clothing made of velvets,furs,silks,lace,cottons and taffeta.


Audience
The obvious which i've stated in other blog posts are the audiences behaviour towards the actresses.The audience are alot more respectful towards the actors now compared to back then.

Below is a copy of what i written about audience in another blog post
'Compared to a modern audience,they would not have been as respectful or as silent as people were constantly moving around buying food and drink while talking.This suggests to me that it gathered a similar atmosphere that would be in a pub.They clapped the heroes and booed the villians which is similar to what happens in some pantomimes and they cheered the special effects.Some playgoers,especially those who had saved up money to come and see the play,were extremely annoyed if they were unable to hear the actors and would tell rowdy audience members to quiet down.I think this may of led to many arguments.'


Over acting
As most of the time some of the audience were very loud(talking or buying food)regular theatre goers or people near the back of the theatre couldn't hear what was gong on so would have to slightly dramatise it so these audience members could undderstand.
Lighting
Unless the play is performed at the Globe,natural lighting will not be used and instead built in lights would be used to add effects.
Seating
Seating can be seen to be set accoring to wealth and the social hierachy.
They had the Pit or the yard which was located around the stage-Standing.
Next was the galleries which had roofed wooden seating.
There was also the lords room which was set above the stage and was used by rich memebers of the audience,the upper class and the nobility.Despite the poor view of the back of the actors heads,it was considered the best view.Nowadays theatres don't have this kind of seating which is set above the stage.Some people in the Lords room also got Cushioned seating.
Lastly there was the gentlemen's room which were balconies on the left and right of the lords room.The seats were made for rich patrons.

Interior

Globe Theatre Interior Elizabethan Theatre Interior The Pit The Galleries The Entrance Stairs and Access The Stage The Pit, the Yard, the Galleries The Heavens  the Frons Scenae,  Lord's rooms,  Gentlemen's rooms,  Tiring House and  the Hut

http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/globe-theatre-interior.htm
conditions
Obviously the places performed at are different.In the contemporary version the theatre is alot safer because of the new sturdy materials used and the theatre is inside.During Shakespearean times the theatre was open air which was basically a theatre which involved using natural lighting.The acoustics aren't as good as they are today so back then they would have to shout and slightly over act so the audience could understand.

In the contemporary version they have what we could call a simple and basic backdrop however looking as Shakespearean backdrop there is a substantial difference in the way it is designed and used on stage.During Elizabethan times they different use alot of set or props;usually just the basics.

During Elizabethan times it was rather dirty and it would smelt ALOT!whereas now it's important to work in a clean healthy environment.Working conditions would of been very different.

Other Modern Versions
The movie 'O' starring Mekhi Phifer and Julia Stiles is a contemporary version of Othello centered around school and Basketball.The big difference in this version is that Shakespeare's early modern English isn't said.