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Original poster

Can ordinary uneducated/uncultured people follow a Shakespere play?

93 replies

Nevertime · 09/12/2021 16:52

I did English Lit Olevel (B) but have to say I did it mainly by "learning" the passnotes, I never did understand any Shakespere I read or understand the answers I wrote!

I haven't looked at any Shakespere in the 30 odd years since. Most of my friends are from similar backgrounds.

In the interests of broadening my horizons I find myself the proud owner of 2 tickets for A Comedy of Errors. Will I be able to follow what's going on?

I need to invite someone, most people I know will feel the same way I do, how do I "sell" it to them? Will we have a clue what's going on?

Or am I overthinking and should approach it like any other theatre production?

OP posts:
cortex10 · 09/12/2021 19:54

I agree with the previous poster that it may take a while at the start to get tuned in to the language but I find it soon 'clicks'.

underneaththeash · 09/12/2021 20:53

Yes, but read the synopsis beforehand.

Like anything heavy - you get more out of it if you've read about the symbolism and understood the relationships between the characters. Just google it.

megletthesecond · 09/12/2021 20:59

Yes. I didn't even finish school and I love it. Even been to the ballet.
During quarantine we watched the modern Hamlet on iplayer. The dc's have been raised on horrible histories and really enjoyed it.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Theatre
WiseUpJanetWeiss · 09/12/2021 21:11

If it’s well done you’ll be fine. I’ve seen many Shakespeare plays and enjoyed all of them apart from one terrible Hamlet. Stoke on Trent circa 1983. Stab him, Laertes, stab him immediately, and let us go home.

nosyupnorth · 09/12/2021 21:41

I saw a comedy of errors recently and I have to say - Don't be scared off by the opening scene!

It begins with a chunk of pretty heavy shakespearian dialogue to set the scene (when I saw it there was definitely a moment of worry that I was finding it very hard to follow and I have seen/read some shakepeare before) but after that it becomes much easier going.

And if it's being performed by a decent company you should be able to follow what is going on from the acting even if you aren't quite getting all the nuances of the language. Shakespeare is much more accessible when performed than when read.

nosyupnorth · 09/12/2021 21:44

Just looked at the subsequent posts - it was the RSC production that I saw! You'll be fine :) It's very well performed and easy to follow once it gets going, and I loved the take of more modern costuming which made it easier to get an impression of the sort of people the characters were meant to be whereas Elizabethan clothing all just makes them look unfathomably old fashioned.

nosyupnorth · 09/12/2021 21:45

I would go against the grain about reading the synopis though, it will ruin some of the twists and take the fun out of it and I really don't think you need to have seen a plot summary in advance to understand it.

dreamingofbedtime · 09/12/2021 21:53

I agree with the PP. If you are watching the RSC performance there is really no need to study the play first. It's brilliantly acted and quite easy to follow. My 10 year old loved it and the only bit she (fortunately) didn't quite follow was in understanding quite what a courtesan was 😳

OhWhyNot · 10/12/2021 00:10

I went to see Midsummer Nights Dream

I really don’t know what everyone was laughing at Blush

I just agreed with others that Dawn French was great in the production (have no idea if she was great or not)

MistySkiesAfterRain · 10/12/2021 01:01

I did English Lit A Level and struggle to follow. Mainly due to ADHD though.

What I have tended to do is to read Wikipedia beforehand to brush up on the actual story so I can follow it. Otherwise I drift off or spend too long translating the language that I miss the storyline.

MistySkiesAfterRain · 10/12/2021 01:02

Having said that I have seen a brilliantly acted Macbeth where I was gripped all the way through.

MimiDaisy11 · 10/12/2021 01:08

It’s much easier to understand Shakespeare when watching it being acted as opposed to reading it. I picked up on the meaning of jokes that I’m sure when reading I’d have needed to read the explanation of.

MimiDaisy11 · 10/12/2021 01:09

Plays are written to be performed so it’s a shame his are mostly read by people rather than watched.

WildMaryBerriesWithBrandyCream · 10/12/2021 01:12

Strict Rules to remember:

You don't have to understand every word or every line. Guess along and just don't worry. I went to one with a party of -reluctant- teens. Afterwards they complained about the difficult old fashioned language in the early scenes and said they were glad it changed for the rest of the play as it was great. Of course, there was no change in the language; the audience just got used to it (that and the actors interpreting it for them.)

The plays were written to be enjoyed - let them do their thing.

Reading a summary beforehand - why not? Read a few. The gist is all you need.

Have a great time - wish you had a ticket for me :)

QuestionableMouse · 10/12/2021 01:14

Yes! It was the soap of the day, intended to entertain the masses. Hence the masses of crude jokes!

Rhannion · 10/12/2021 01:14

You will be fine, just have a look at plot line so you have an idea of what’s going on before you go.
You’ve picked a good one to see.
Reading and studying Shakespeare and watching one of his plays preformed are different.
I remember reading Much Ado About Nothing at school, everyone had to read a part and it wasn’t great as very few of us put much emotion into it, but going to see it on the stage with real actors was wonderful.
Enjoy yourself

Kanaloa · 10/12/2021 01:16

You’ll certainly be able to follow along. I’ve seen lots of Shakespeare plays and enjoyed most of them. I think it helps to have a vague understanding of who the characters are before you go in just so you can follow easier.

Enjoy! It will be a lovely evening.

grapewine · 10/12/2021 01:16

@Nevertime

The Comedy of Errors Blush
Definitely go. If it's the RSC production currently on in London, I highly recommend. It is vibrant and entertaining.
julieca · 10/12/2021 01:20

Depends on the production. If performed well you will be fine.

mathanxiety · 10/12/2021 01:33

You'll be far better able to understand the play performed on stage than read from a book in school. The plays were written for live performance and really come alive in the hands of decent actors.

Watch a few films of Shakespeare plays and you'll see what I mean.

Hope you'll have a great time.

TwoBigNoisyBoys · 10/12/2021 05:03

Absolutely brilliant that your DS wants to come with you!

I echo what others have said; Shakespeare was never written to be read, it was for people to watch. My introduction to Shakespeare like many others was doing Romeo and Juliet for GCSE, and it felt so dry and dusty to read,,difficulty following the language. However we had an excellent English teacher who allowed 10 minutes of us reading it around the class, all of us struggling, before whipping it away from us and striding round the class, acting the parts herself. It was great! Better still, she booked us onto a ‘workshop’ at the theatre, where young actors enthusiastically broke the play down for us, translated words, acted scheme and brought he whole thing to life (and all us 15/16 year olds girls fell in love with Benvolio 😁 who had the most AMAZING floppy hair!) and a lifelong love of Shakespeare started there 😊 Seeing it brings it to life!!

I would also suggest reading an outline of the play, just to familiarise yourself with it, but not too much. And then you two go and have a marvellous time.

Oh and by the way, if Comedy of Errors is too tame for him, get booked on a performance of Titus Andronicus 😁😁

Bettyfromlondon · 10/12/2021 07:20

I volunteer at a major Shakesperean theatre venue and always read a synopsis or two before a play I have not seen before. " A Comedy of Errors" is bonkers but great fun. Switch your "sensible" head off and romp along with it!

Kendrickspenguin · 10/12/2021 07:27

My Mum loves to go to the theatre. I saw my first Shakespeare play at about 7. I was not some kind of mini genius, just lucky enough to have a Mum who had the time and money to take me to the theatre. When I was little she used to tell me the story of the play we were going to see before we went to help me follow the story. So it might help you to look up the story of "A Comedy of Errors" before you go. If you just relax and listen your ear gets tuned into the language. Also, if the actors are any good that will help you to understand what they are saying. I loved Henry V because I saw Michael Sheen as Henry. He was awesome.

CoverYourselfInChocolateGlory · 10/12/2021 07:33

If it's well acted, absolutely. Some Shakespeare is horribly over-egged.

Ragwort · 10/12/2021 08:29

Sorry, going against the grain here but I find Shakespeare incredibly difficult to watch - I am 'educated', did Eng Lit A level so have studied Shakespeare but just don't 'get' it. My DPs are really into theatre, esp Shakespeare, and I think they are disappointed I just don't share their love of theatre apart from musicals. I remember years ago a new boyfriend treated me to tickets at Stratford - I was bored out of my mind Blush. My DH loves Shakespeare and I have sat through many performances just waiting for them to end. I have finally got him to realise and he happily goes on his one!

But I really hope you enjoy it OP.