Shakespeare in Performance

Synopsis: Three-part radio documentary series, narrated by Sam Waterston, made to mark the 75th anniversary, in 2007, of the Folger Shakespeare Library. The series explores the influence of Shakespeare on American civic, political and cultural life. SHAKESPEARE IN PERFORMANCE examines how American Shakespeare has been shaped by the American experience. From the emerging nation’s earliest days when an ‘American’ acting style first took shape, to the influence of African-Americans, to method acting and the influence of Hollywood.
Series: Shakespeare in American Life
Language: English
Country: United States
Medium: Radio
Transmission details: Apr 2007 (Channel: Public Radio International (PRI))
Duration: 60 mins

Production type: Documentary/Educational/News
Keywords: acting; acting techniques; Hollywood; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); United States of America

Notes: The programme can be downloaded from the Folger Library website (accessed 11/2008)
A book Shakespeare in American life compiled and edited by Virginia Mason Vaughan and Alden T. Vaughan ( Seattle : University of Washington Press, 2007) accompanies the programme.
General: The series was broadcast on 211 public radio stations across the country and is complemented by a comprehensive website which features educational activities (including lesson plans for K-12 teachers) drawn from the radio programmes, a major exhibition of Shakespeare in American Life at the Folger, scholarly essays compiled in the exhibition catalogue, and an academic conference on the history of Shakespeare in American education,
Reviews: An accompanying website to the documentary is available at:
http://www.shakespeareinamericanlife.org/
It includes a section of Shakespeare on Stage and Screen, within which there is a Shakespeare and Hollywood section, with these chapters:
Shakespeare the Screenwriter, Shakespeare in Silent Films, Shakespeare in Hollywood’s Golden Age, Shakespeare in Teen Movies. Trailers, Movie and Television List. Contributors to the film section are The contributors to the film section are Douglas Brode, Ken Rothwell, Patricia King Hanson, and Vicki Botnik. There is also audio material and transcripts.

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British Universities Film & Video Council