10.4 Performing Shakespeare and Other Classical Playwrights

Shakespeare's plays demand unique acting techniques. The First Folio method and original pronunciation help actors capture authentic Elizabethan style. These approaches reveal hidden meanings and bring the Bard's words to life in fresh ways.

Classical acting also involves specialized skills like stage combat and Greek chorus work. These techniques create spectacle, enhance storytelling, and challenge actors to expand their expressive range beyond modern naturalistic styles.

Shakespearean Performance Techniques

First Folio and Original Pronunciation

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• First folio technique utilizes Shakespeare's original published text to inform performance choices
  • Focuses on punctuation, capitalization, and spelling as clues for interpretation
  • Encourages actors to honor the rhythm and structure of the verse
• Original pronunciation reconstructs Elizabethan era speech patterns
  • Alters the sound and rhythm of the language
  • Reveals hidden rhymes and wordplay not apparent in modern pronunciation
• Both methods aim to capture authentic Shakespearean performance style
  • Provide insights into character relationships and motivations
  • Enhance understanding of jokes and puns within the text

Elizabethan Staging and Heightened Emotion

• Elizabethan staging recreates performance conditions of Shakespeare's time
  • Utilizes thrust stages with audience on three sides
  • Incorporates minimal sets and props, relying on language to create setting
  • Employs natural lighting and acoustic properties of open-air theaters
• Heightened emotion emphasizes the grand scale of Shakespearean characters' feelings
  • Requires actors to fully embody passionate states (love, jealousy, rage)
  • Balances emotional intensity with clarity of speech and movement
  • Connects internal character experiences to external physical expression

Rhetorical Devices and Textual Analysis

• Rhetorical devices in Shakespeare's plays serve multiple purposes
  • Antithesis contrasts opposing ideas for dramatic effect (To be, or not to be)
  • Alliteration creates memorable phrases and emphasizes key words
  • Metaphors and similes paint vivid imagery (All the world's a stage)
• Textual analysis involves deep examination of the script
  • Identifies verse structure (iambic pentameter) and its dramatic significance
  • Explores subtext and character motivations through close reading
  • Examines how language choices reflect social status and relationships
• Historical context informs interpretation of characters and themes
  • Considers Elizabethan social norms, politics, and beliefs
  • Explores how contemporary events influenced Shakespeare's writing
  • Helps actors understand character motivations within their historical setting

Classical Acting Skills

Stage Combat and Physical Techniques

• Stage combat encompasses various forms of theatrical fighting
  • Includes swordplay (rapier and dagger), unarmed combat, and staff work
  • Requires precise timing, spatial awareness, and partner coordination
  • Emphasizes safety while creating the illusion of violence
• Physicality in classical roles demands heightened body awareness
  • Utilizes stylized movement to convey character status and emotions
  • Incorporates period-specific gestures and postures
  • Requires stamina and flexibility for demanding physical performances
• Both skills contribute to the overall spectacle of classical theater
  • Enhance dramatic tension and visual excitement on stage
  • Demand extensive rehearsal and technical proficiency

Greek Chorus and Mask Work

• Greek chorus functions as a collective character in ancient plays
  • Provides commentary, background information, and moral judgments
  • Requires synchronized movement and choral speaking techniques
  • Serves as a bridge between the audience and the main characters
• Mask work is integral to many classical theater traditions
  • Transforms actor's appearance and alters vocal projection
  • Demands exaggerated physical gestures to convey emotion
  • Requires actors to embody archetypal characters (tragic hero, comic servant)
• Both techniques challenge actors to expand their expressive range
  • Emphasize the importance of ensemble work and group dynamics
  • Explore the balance between individual characterization and collective performance