I predict that schools will be lining up to book Jeremy Webb’s brilliantly entertaining Shakespeare on Trial. It strikes the perfect tone for the too-cool-for-Shakespeare crowd, and it actually stands a chance of turning some young minds onto the beauty of the Bard. Simon Henderson plays the titular character who must confront several of his creations as they try to explain why they think people are losing interest in his work. Along the way, audiences receive a subtle refresher course on things like the structure of iambic pentameter, and are exposed to some of the greatest speeches in Shakespeare. Webb and Henderson are delightful to watch and play off each other with the same energy as Tim Conway and Harvey Korman—although young audiences will no doubt have no clue to whom I refer. This show is filled with scenes that are sure to make a real impression on students, particularly Webb’s hilarious and disturbing turn as the ugliest Juliet ever.
Catch Shakespeare on Trial at The Bus Stop Theatre, 2203 Gottingen St., June 6 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 and are available at the door.
This article appears in Jun 4-10, 2009.
If you want young people to get turned-on to Shakespeare even more, get them to put on one of our brilliant musical versions of his plays. Shakespeare 4 Kidz offers shorted musical versions which weave original bits of text into easy-to-understand modern language. We tour the Uk and abroad with them but you can buy your own Put on a Play pack at http://www.shakespeare4kidz.com
Shakespeare On Trial is touring to schools this Fall – go to http://www.offtheleash.ca to find out more! Thanks to kate for this great review.
Get your kids to learn shakespeare fast by having them learn shakespeare quotes