Captain Jean-Luc Picard inspires Shakespeare memories for Ann Arbor Audiences
Alicen Spaulding, Ross Partner
Issue date: 12/4/06 Section: Features
Two weeks ago Patrick Stewart, one of the founding members of the Royal Shakespeare Company, sat in front of an enthusiastic crowd of thousands- no, not at the Big House- at the Power Center. He said he believes theater can change the world. From October to November, Ann Arbor got to experience what he meant.
The Royal Shakespeare Company took up residency in Ann Arbor from October 24 to November 12, presenting three plays: "The Tempest", "Antony and Cleopatra" and "Julius Caesar" in addition to over one hundred other educational and cultural events. The tour de force concluded last Monday, with poignant closing remarks given by Professor Ralph Williams of the English Department. This was the third residency celebration of Shakespeare in Ann Arbor. Amazingly, four centuries since the writing of "Julius Caesar", worldwide audiences sell out theaters to see interpretations of the author's incomparable work. Why, after all these years, are we still so fascinated by Shakespeare?
Shakespeare is quite possibly the most read author of all time, his works having been translated in to almost every language in existence. His phrases permeate our popular culture (who knew the phrase "It's Greek to me" was from "Julius Caesar"? I sure didn't), and almost everyone has either read or seen Shakespeare performed. Shakespeare's plays can be a unifying force for people who may otherwise appear to have little in common. Perhaps he makes the world, which sometimes feels as though it is expanding faster than we can understand it, seem a little bit more manageable? Perhaps it is the infamous universality of his plays that keeps us coming back for more - maybe if we listen or watch a little closer, we'll see a reflection of ourselves in his words
The search for Shakespeare is one that I have enjoyed since "finding" Shakespeare when I was an undergraduate, but I must admit I was a bit surprised to the see the three plays chosen for the residency- a political murder, a middle-age love debacle and an old man's search for redemption? What could these three plays possibly have in common? I went on a mission to find out.
The Royal Shakespeare Company took up residency in Ann Arbor from October 24 to November 12, presenting three plays: "The Tempest", "Antony and Cleopatra" and "Julius Caesar" in addition to over one hundred other educational and cultural events. The tour de force concluded last Monday, with poignant closing remarks given by Professor Ralph Williams of the English Department. This was the third residency celebration of Shakespeare in Ann Arbor. Amazingly, four centuries since the writing of "Julius Caesar", worldwide audiences sell out theaters to see interpretations of the author's incomparable work. Why, after all these years, are we still so fascinated by Shakespeare?
Shakespeare is quite possibly the most read author of all time, his works having been translated in to almost every language in existence. His phrases permeate our popular culture (who knew the phrase "It's Greek to me" was from "Julius Caesar"? I sure didn't), and almost everyone has either read or seen Shakespeare performed. Shakespeare's plays can be a unifying force for people who may otherwise appear to have little in common. Perhaps he makes the world, which sometimes feels as though it is expanding faster than we can understand it, seem a little bit more manageable? Perhaps it is the infamous universality of his plays that keeps us coming back for more - maybe if we listen or watch a little closer, we'll see a reflection of ourselves in his words
The search for Shakespeare is one that I have enjoyed since "finding" Shakespeare when I was an undergraduate, but I must admit I was a bit surprised to the see the three plays chosen for the residency- a political murder, a middle-age love debacle and an old man's search for redemption? What could these three plays possibly have in common? I went on a mission to find out.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
timbrooks
Essay
posted 2/18/10 @ 5:00 AM EST
I like this news.
Post a Comment