Shakespeare for Reader's Theatre: Hamlet, Romeo & Juliet, Midsummer Night's Dream - Softcover

Poulsen, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 192740018X ISBN 13: 9781927400180

Publisher: Five Rivers Publishing, 2013

Synopsis

Shakespeare for Readers' Theatre is a Readers' Theatre collection of three of Shakespeare's plays in abridged form. In this first book of the series, three of Shakespeare's most beloved plays are presented: Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, as well as Midsummer Night's Dream, and have been trimmed while keeping Shakespeare's beautiful language.

Hamlet can run more than four hours but this Hamlet will run less than 45 minutes while keeping most of the great lines. Not short enough? The book contains an even shorter version of Hamlet that should run less than 20 minutes. That is, each of the Shakespeare plays have two Readers' Theatre versions, the long version intended to run 45 minutes and the short version intended to run about 20 minutes.

Shakespeare for Readers' Theatre also includes an introduction to the each of the plays including probable original sources, first production dates, and important historical information. Further, each of the Readers' Theatre long versions have attached suggested director's notes. These notes include interpretations of the text, definitions, blocking suggestions, and character recommendations. The book is intended as an important practical resource for theatre practitioners, directors, and teachers.

About this title

About the Author:

John Poulsen B.Ed., Ph.D. (University of Calgary) & M.A. (University of London, England.) John is an academic, performer, director and writer. As a specialist in Drama Education his research examines diverse fields such as affective attunement, teacher as performer, theatre direction, history of Drama Education, and Shakespeare. John is a founding member of two performing companies masQuirx and Loose Moose Theatre Company (from which came Theatre Sports). He has directed over 50 productions with a focus on classics including Shakespeare and Theatre for Young Audiences collective creation.

Review:

This book perfectly meets my needs. I am using it this year with my middle school gifted students who must perform a 10-20 minute Shakespeare scene. I love the readers theatre approach and so do my students.

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About this edition

• Publisher: Five Rivers Publishing
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 192740018X
• ISBN 13: 9781927400180
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 276