SHAKESPEARE

Synopsis

Four programmes relating to course AA306: Band 1) Staging Dreams: explores how magic can be represented in the modern theatre. Features extracts from several productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Band 2) Casting a King: Richard II: focuses on the issue of casting and considers how our interpretation of lines, characters and a play in general are affected by the choice of actors. Features detailed comparisons of three interpretations of the character of Richard II by Ian McKellen, Derek Jacobi and Fiona Shaw;
Band 3) With Richard Briers as Malvolio, looks closely at the ‘nuts and bolts’ of comic acting in a workshop by Richard Briers. Among more general comments, Briers discusses his interpretation of the role of Malvolio from Twelfth Night for Kenneth Branagh’s productions on both stage and screen; Band 4) Orsino and Viola at the Young Vic theatre - features two short extracts from Tim Supple’s production of Twelfth Night, inviting comparisons with Branagh’s productions.

Series

Shakespeare: Text and Performance, Course Aa306

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Video

Technical information

Colour / Sound

Year of release

2000

Duration

93 mins

Availability

Out of distribution

Credits

Cast

Ian McKellen	King Richard II
Richard Briers	Malvolio

Additional Details

Production type

Documentary/Educational/News

Plays

Midsummer Night’s Dream, A; Richard II; Twelfth Night

Subjects

Drama

Keywords

acting; acting techniques; comedy; drama production; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); magic; Casting (roles); Gender reversal

Production Company

Name

BBC Open University Productions

Distributor

Name

Canny Store

Web

https://cannystore.com/ External site opens in new window

Phone

01789 207440

Address

The Mansley Centre
Timothy’s Bridge Road
Stratford upon Avon
CV37 9NQ

Distributor (Sale)

Name

Open University Worldwide

Web

http://www.ouw.co.uk External site opens in new window

Phone

+44 (0) 1908 274066

Address

Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA

Notes

NB. As of May 2016 Open University Worldwide are no longer distributing DVDs. They have posted this message on their website: ‘Unfortunately Open University Worldwide Limited has decided that product sales are no longer viable given the reduced funding to Higher Education institutions and diminishing demand for the products we have traditionally stocked. At present the Open University Students Association (OUSA) will continue to sell the "Good Study Guide", and we are in discussion with other possible distributors to continue to make The Open University’s products available for purchase. As soon as we have any information on other channels of distribution we will update this notice’. Some products are still available via second hand dealers on Amazon.co.uk