Our kids did us proud last night in The Merchant of Venice! The Merchant (our curly boy) was dignified and mature. Salarino (Our girl) was well spoken and well delivered. And Gratiano (our curly red) was a main laugh-bringer of the evening. They did a great job and they perform again on Friday night of this week in their main roles, and then on Saturday in their minor roles.
One of the things that continues to rise to the surface about the kids that take part in this Shakespeare group is that through the process of rehearsals and discussion they so thoroughly comprehend Shakespeare's work...in the original. They work right from the Folger's edition of each script and there are very few cuts and edits to that version. Nothing is dumbed down. Many would say that Shakespeare is inaccessible to kids of today (and to adults too!). Nothing is further from the truth in my experience.
I remember in High School having Sr. Mary Anderson "perform" -through reading aloud to us--- many of the plays of Shakespeare. I know that several of my classmates found it boring and "hard." I remember thinking that it was interesting and that she was able to bring those plays to life to me, even though it wasn't being performed. -- When I started my study of theater in college, I fell in love with theater in performance and I am so glad that my kids can take part in "living theater." Theater as it ought to be, if at all possible. Making Shakespeare alive for themselves and in extension, for their audiences is such a wonderful thing! I don't think my kids are necessarily more able to grasp Shakespeare than others. I just think that taking the opportunity has tipped the scales in their favor.
If I said that they are doing Hamlet next year and that they are SO excited about it that they've begun reading it...and one of them has read it through twice since the announcement last week...perhaps that would support my point.
"That it should come to this!" I'm not terribly surprised, but I'm thoroughly pleased.
Yep, you should be proud. So far, my kiddos are loving Shakespeare...I feel it is because they haven't been negatively influenced by the "outside" world. :) Hopefully, it will continue. Congrats to your kids on a job well done!
ReplyDeleteBravo to all!!!!
ReplyDeleteI also know the joy of seeing my children on stage together and I relish each golden moment of that blessing. Enjoy tonight, Lori. I'm sure you'll miss your soldier. God bless you all. And the grand old show.