Rehearsing the Text

Synopsis: Television documentary series. A nine-part series in which John Barton, associate director with the Royal Shakespeare Company, works with RSC actors analysing how Shakespeare’s text works examining the use of verse and prose, set speeches and solilioquies, language and character. The later programmes concentrate on areas such as irony, ambiguity, passion and coolness. Episode 7 REHEARSING THE TEXT. John Barton analyses text and subtext, the effect of monosyllabic lines, short lines, missing beats and Shakespeare’s verse rhythms. Ideas are explored through Twelfth Night (II iv).
Series: Playing Shakespeare
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Television
Technical information: Colour / Sound
Notes: In June 2009 all 9 parts of the series were released for sale in the US in a 4-disc DVD set by Athena, ISBN 1-59828-221-4. Price $79.99.

Playing Shakespeare by John Barton, with a foreword by Trevor Nunn, is published by Methuen 1984. The book complements the series and reproduces part of the discussions in the programmes with some editing and rewording.
Subjects: Drama
Keywords: acting; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Verse speaking; Workshops
Related items: Lessons in Reality, Just from ‘Playing Shakespeare’