Pronouncing Shakespeare
Subtitle: the Globe experiment
By: David Crystal.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 2005
Place of publication: Cambridge; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 188
Subjects: Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Language.; Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Stage history -- England -- London.; Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Stage history -- 1950-; Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616.; Globe Theatre (London, England : 1996- ); English language -- Early modern, 1500-1700 -- Pronunciation.
Description: "For three days in June 2004, Shakespeare's Globe in London presented Romeo and Juliet in Early Modern English pronunciation, as part of an 'original practices' production. It was an experiment, the first time a professional theatre company had attempted such an event on a London stage in over 350 years, and there was much uncertainty over the outcome. Would the actors be able to cope with it? Would the audiences be able to understand it? How would the Elizabethan accent affect the way the characters were interpreted? Would there be any unexpected dramatic consequences?"

"In this unusual book, written immediately after the event, David Crystal records the story of the production, from initial proposal, through planning and rehearsals, to eventual performance and critical reaction. He explains the historical linguistic background, paying special attention to the question everyone asks: "How do we know how they spoke in those days?" His interviews with everyone involved in the production - director, actors, and audience - provide a lively commentary which brings together the worlds of linguistics, literature, and theatre studies."--Jacket.
Notes: Includes index.