I know that some of you had more than enough of Shakespeare while growing up, but I found this British documentary series on PBS very rewarding.
I only caught the last 3 (of what I suspect were many more) but I found these one-hour journeys hosted mostly by well-known British actors (Jeremy Irons covering "Richard III" and David(Doctor No)Tennant covering "Hamlet") very informative and , shall I say, enlightening, and once I started watching - I was riveted.
They struck a very good balance between providing background in Shakespeare's life, step-by-step analysis of what the plays are all about, and combined them with footage of modern-day stagings of the plays(and films), including some from our own (Stratford,Ontario) performances, all the way up to how working on these timeless dramas affected the actors.
Even though the series seems to have run its course for now - I'm quite sure it will be re-run sooner or later, and you might be able to catch or PVR it then.
So if you have any appreciation for the Bard and his works - I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
I only caught the last 3 (of what I suspect were many more) but I found these one-hour journeys hosted mostly by well-known British actors (Jeremy Irons covering "Richard III" and David(Doctor No)Tennant covering "Hamlet") very informative and , shall I say, enlightening, and once I started watching - I was riveted.
They struck a very good balance between providing background in Shakespeare's life, step-by-step analysis of what the plays are all about, and combined them with footage of modern-day stagings of the plays(and films), including some from our own (Stratford,Ontario) performances, all the way up to how working on these timeless dramas affected the actors.
Even though the series seems to have run its course for now - I'm quite sure it will be re-run sooner or later, and you might be able to catch or PVR it then.
So if you have any appreciation for the Bard and his works - I'm sure you won't be disappointed.