SHAKESPEARE

Synopsis

Recording of a live virtual event in which Friar Laurence is put on trial for the murder of Romeo and Juliet. The proceedings are run by real legal professionals: Erwin Chemerinsky (Berkeley Law) appears for the prosecution, Bernadette Meyler (Stanford Law) for the defence with the Honorable judge Andrew Guilford presiding. The audience watching live (in situ and and online) decides whether Friar Laurence is guilty or innocent (see notes for the result).

The event is hosted by Eli Simon, artistic director of the New Swan Shakespeare Center.

Series

Uc Shakespeare Trial

Language

English

Country

United States

Medium

Multimedia; Video

Transmission details

5 Mar 2022

Duration

63 mins

Additional Details

Theatre

Freight and Salvage Coffee House in Berkeley, California

Production type

Documentary/Educational/News

Plays

Romeo and Juliet

Subjects

Law; Shakespeare

Notes

Notes

At the end of the trial, the tally of online and in situ votes found friar Laurence guilty of involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment

General

The evening begins with the performance of several scenes from Shakespeare’s play including: Act 2 Scene 3 performed by Andrew Borba as Friar Laurence; followed by Act 4 Scene 1 and Act 4 Scene 3 with Crystal Kim as Juliet; and then Act 5 Scene 3 with Kieran Barry as Romeo. Near the end of the programme, while votes are being counted, Kim and Barry perform the morning scene from Act 3 Scene 5.

Online Availability

Online URL

https://youtu.be/dgjidFuEMYM

Online format

Streamed

Sponsor

Name

New Swan Shakespeare

Distributor

Name

YouTube

Web

http://www.youtube.com External site opens in new window