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What matters about Shakespeare and why are we still studying his plays 400 years later?
"Why do we have to study the
plays of some guy who died over 400 years ago and uses language
that we don’t even understand?" This familiar
lament heard by high school English teachers everywhere, sparked
the following inquiry while studying the play Macbeth. Meet
the actors who delight in studying and performing Shakespeare’s
plays and find out what matters to them about this master
playwright. Follow this encounter with Macbeth as it unfolds
through the series of short video extracts below.
1. Why study Shakespeare today?
"There is this guy who lived
in England 400 years ago who wrote these plays and they
get produced more than any other play, in any other language,
of all time even today so he must have been talking about
something that relates to life today. They’re the
same stories throughout history that have been told just
in different packages and in different forms. And it’s
our job as artists to re-tell them for our time and place.
And that was our number one goal in doing The
Macbeth Show; to take this
great story that Shakespeare told 400 years ago and make
it relevant for you." ~ Ryan Gladstone (Monster
Theatre) |
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2. Technology opens the doors of the classroom
"The technology can take the learning in a different direction and the kids can pick up more than the curriculum dictates." ~ Lynn Sparks (high school English teacher) |
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3. Consulting with experts
(Students examined their own interpretations of Macbeth in light of the actors’ portrayals) "Lady Macbeth was interesting in the play. How big a role did she play in Macbeth’s decision to murder Duncan?" ~ (grade eleven English student) |
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4. Shakespeare for our time and place
Kung-fu McDuff challenges Macbeth in a deadly duel~ Monster Theatre |
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5. Fresh insights into an old classic
"What the kids really appreciated was being able to talk to someone who has actually played Macbeth." ~ Lynn Sparks |
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6. Extending learning beyond the classroom
"Ryan’s answers were very lively … I just think it was a really special experience. The kids were really excited about using the technology they were just thrilled by the fact that they could be talking to somebody in Toronto ... so it was that interesting dynamic. The kids were able to ask, why would you do Shakespeare today? And here was somebody that was very excited about it; who had good researched answers for why you would do it." ~ Lynn Spark |
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7. Student responses
"I thought the teleconference was amazing. The advanced technology blew my mind because I had no idea that this type of event was possible. Also I enjoyed talking to the two actors because they were both very intelligent and great people to talk to. I thought the whole process was very informative because they had lived the experience and knew what the whole thing was all about." ~ grade eleven student |
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8. Forging connections: Bridging the distance between Calgary and Toronto
"I was completely blown away with the technology used in the teleconference. I found it really interesting to be able to see and hear and talk with the actors in Toronto. I really liked the actors we talked with. They were extremely friendly and full of energy. It was great to get some of their interpretations of the play Macbeth. Their insight was interesting." ~ grade eleven student |
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9. The secrets of Shakespeare unveiled
"Do you guys know about the first folio? No? Well let me tell you." ~ Ryan Gladstone |
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