Focusing on the staging convention of direct address, this study explores how Shakespeare's characters construct their identities while engaging with the audience. It delves into the dynamics between performer and viewer, examining the impact of audience awareness on dramatic figures. The book highlights the interplay of theatrical illusion, revealing both the joys and unsettling aspects of witnessing characters come to life during performance.
Exploring the significance of costume in Shakespearean productions, this book delves into how attire influences character perception and audience engagement. It examines historical and contemporary approaches to costume design, highlighting the interplay between text and visual representation. Through case studies and critical analysis, it reveals how costumes can enhance themes, convey social status, and reflect cultural contexts, ultimately shaping the overall theatrical experience.
This handbook offers a way in to reading Anthony and Cleopatra theatrically. Through analyses of key productions, an account of the historical conditions in which the play was first produced, and a scene-by-scene account of how the play might be approached in performance, this book focuses on the challenges of staging the notorious lovers.