Romeo and Juliet 201

Episode 16: Romeo & Juliet 201

In our second 201 episode, we go "narrow and deep" into topics related to Romeo and Juliet. We revisit the rhetorical device of pleonasm and how the Nurse uses it for comedic effect; from Jess's corner we learn a little production history, a little print history (an example of secretary hand shown on the left), and a little poison history; Aubrey's corner (or rather her soapbox) is mostly in defense of Juliet's equivocation habit and why we should not underestimate her or her "lady brain;" and, finally, in our ShakesBubble gossip we give you a quick and dirty run down of all the R&J productions* coming to theatres near you!

*Links:

Oregon Shakespeare Festival

Seattle Shakespeare

RSC

CB Productions

SF Shakes

St. Louis Shakespeare Festival

Shakespeare Tavern

Hartford Stage

Shows all over the UK here

More shows in the US here

Othello 101

Two white girls trying to discuss the racial quagmire that is Othello...what could go wrong? You'll just have to listen to find out (and we sincerely hope the answer is "nothing" because we try really hard to be conscientious about our words, you guys). The Rhetorical Device of the Week is epanorthosis; the Burbage Break is all about the early modern definition of "moor" and how early modern actors conveyed and interpreted "blackness" on stage. In our Tips and Tidbits we discuss the idea of "color conscious casting" and why it is NEVER ok to whitewash the title character; and in our ShakesBubble Gossip we return to the twitter storm that started it all, and the awesomeness that is a Noh adaptation of Othello.

Oof.

It's a lot, y'all.

Buckle up.

King Lear 101

This episode runs a little long (but so does King Lear's march toward death, so deal with it) because we devote a ton of time to figuring out why people connect with this particular tragedy. The Rhetorical Device of the Week is antimetabole; in the Burbage Break we attempt to issue a correction and end up making it works (sorry Mya) and discuss the phenomenon of "early modern facial blindness;" our Tips and Tidbits delve into the different versions of this text and why they matter; and we use our game, Choices Were Made, to gripe about (mostly) *terrible* Lear production choices. Is Edgar actually Jesus? Should Lear end up in a diaper? Listen and find out.

Titus Andronicus 101

This week we are joined by self-proclaimed Titus Andronicus expert, Catie Osborn, to talk about all things Titus! The Rhetorical Device of the Week is accumulatio; the Burbage Break (brought to you by Catie) analyzes the Peacham Drawing* and what it tells us about Early Modern staging conditions; Catie explains in great detail why everyone should give Titus a second look; and in our game of Line Roulette we put Catie's knowledge to the test. She wins at everything, btw. In our ShakesBubble Gossip we learn what's happening in the ASC's Actor's Renaissance Season and that a MOVIE of TWELFTH NIGHT is set to be released on Jan. 6 (aka the actual twelfth night!). Thanks so much to our special guest! 

Look Catie up at www.catieosborn.com

The Peacham Drawing

Midsummer 201

In our first 201 episode, we examine how to interpret alliteration (the Rhetorcal Device of the Week, version 2.0) as a reader and an actor, and we delve into source texts. Then, in a twist *no one* saw coming, what seems like a straightforward review of the Arden 3 edition of Midsummer turns into an all-out interrogation of an editorial emendation of the word "strange" into "swarthe." Chaos and ridiculous nerdiness ensue, and we learn what palaeography and minims are along the way. Once we get back on track, we discuss the debate between scholars regarding Shakespeare's occasion for writing A Midsummer Night's Dream as well as some issues that might help you make the text relevant to a 21st century audience. In our ShakesBubble Gossip, we list a bunch of Midsummer productions* coming your way in early 2018, and briefly allude to a twitter controversy surrounding Othello (don't ask - you'll understand when you get there). 

*ShakesBubble Links here:

Alliance Theatre here

Virginia Opera here

Butler Theatre here

MOVIE! here

Midsummer Productions in the UK (via Touchstone) here

Midsummer ballet (in Europe) here