> > People seriously have to lighten up when it comes to Shakespeare.
>
> I agree. Too many productions are pretentious. Shakespeare wrote for the lower class. Since then, he's become a favorite amongst more artsy circles -- and certainly there is artistry to appreciate. But wrapping up a production intended for the lower class in showiness and ceremony just doesn't make sense. There should be energy, raw emotion, and verve, if, indeed, anyone really knows what "verve" means.
>

In the summers, I work on Shakespeare in the Park - we're a group of high school and college students, and we just have fun with it. The things that seems to work best for us is a)don't treat it like it's hard, b)use lots of action, and c) find as many jokes about sex as you possibly can, 'cause they're in there! We don't pull off award winning shows, but I think we do pretty good, and after 3 years we still have an audience. . . :)

Luisa