Shakespeare’s Preoccupations
I thought it would be fun to share my list of things I have noticed Shakespeare does repeatedly, and ask if you have any others.
Discussion Thread: Shakespeare Uncovered
The recent import from the BBC 4, Shakespeare Uncovered, is a six-part series in which one well-known public face of the theatre each episode gives an in-depth, personal walk-through a selection from Shakespeare’s plays. Four examine a single play, the other two look at more than one, related by genre. The Beeb’s website has outlines and [...]
Sunday Theatre Spot: Mind The Cat
I met a theatre cat on Friday night, and he was typically imperious and graciously accepting the admiration that is naturally his due. Anybody else know a theatre cat or two?
Signal Boost: Octogenarians in the Melbourne Region Wanted for Theatre Project
Theatre director & writer Roslyn Oades is currently researching a new theatre project exploring the experiences of 18 and 80 years, and what can be learnt from these two very different viewpoints.The first stage of the project (Feb-June 2013) will focus on the 80 year and over age group. Roslyn is currently looking for interested community members to participate in conversation groups as well as community workers who may be able to assist her in this process.
Friday Hoyden: Hrotsvit von Gandersheim
Hrotsvit, whose name is also recorded as Roswitha, and in other variations, lived in the Abbey of Gandersheim, which is in the region known today as Saxony, in the second half of the tenth century. The dark ages may not have been quite so dark if you were a noble-born, highly educated nun, with a rather quirky sense of humour.
Friday Hoyden: Paulina in The Winter’s Tale
Paulina is one of Shakespeare’s lesser known, but most vibrant and admirable mouthy women.
“Abigail’s age has been raised.”
Arthur Miller’s The Crucible has meant so much to so many people. As a parable about state control, or without its political dimension, as an examination of the power dynamics within a closed society, or of an individual working through guilt to find something valuable in themselves. In fictionalising the lives of the real people involved, however, Miller raised Abigail’s age from eleven to seventeen. It may be time to think about his motives and the implications of the changes he made.
Blegging: Name Orlando’s Book
My first book is to be published later this year, and I am still not happy with the title. It is an academic text, but one I hope will have a broader appeal for people interested in the theatre, and the way women are presented on stage.
Namatjira at Belvoir Street Theatre
If, like me, you are interested in seeing more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories, you will be delighted to hear that the Belvoir Street Theatre’s collaboration with Big hARTto produce Namatjira has resulted in the best play I’ve seen for a long, long time.
Quote of the Day: institutions vs amateur critics
What the internet means for the old-fashioned print critic is the end of institutional authority. That so many of these critics mistake institutional authority for critical authority says everything you need to know.
Good news, sad news, obOzsport news
Rise, Sir Patrick Stewart. Farewell, Rue McLanahan. C’mon, Sam Stosur, c’mon.

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