Working Shakespeare

Actors unpack Shakespeare's language with warmth and insight, making the verse feel alive and inviting rather than academic.

Created by

Cicely Berry

Genres

Documentary

Starring

Kate Burton, Claire Danes, Blythe Danner

Overview

How do we enter the heightened, extravagant language of Shakespeare and yet feel truthful in our contemporary world? How do performers excite the audience with Shakespeare's rich imagery and dynamic rhythm, yet make it real for the twenty-first century? We assume that a sophisticated intellectual background is required to grapple with Shakespeare. But there is a much deeper, almost primal response as available to inner-city students as to their counterparts in the private school to the sound and rhythm in Shakespeare's language which arouses our emotions: feelings of anger and sorrow, of passion and laughter. This landmark five-part video series gives voice to Shakespeare's most beloved and widely known speeches and sonnets, performed by a powerhouse ensemble of American and British actors, as they delve into the structure, meaning and power of Shakespeare's language.

How it feels

Earnest, warm and uplifting. Measured and needs your attention.

About

Art, education, identity, love

Content

Mild language. No violence, gore or sexual content.

Note

Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

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