Shakespeare on Trial - Critical Review

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Shakespeare On Trial - Critical Review In a well-rehearsed and entertaining performance, the team from Shakespeare On Trial (Sam, Bella and Paul) present a unique play which contrasts and compares various interpretations within William Shakespeare’s works. The performance focused on Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” and “Romeo and Juliet”. The entire performance was based on talk shows which demonstrated the different interpretations of Shakespeare’s works, through discussions, arguments and brief scenes. The performance allows the audience to look past their own opinions of Macbeth or Shakespeare, and enables them to appreciate different interpretations of the plays; enhancing their understanding. Despite the absence of special lighting, costumes or a large troupe, the team was able to present a captivating performance which kept the audience entertained from beginning to end. The first half of the performance focused on Macbeth. It was set in an interview between two different actors who were each starring in different Macbeth films. The two actors argued over whether Macbeth was a tragic love story or an epic war adventure. The second half of the performance focused on Romeo and Juliet. Again, this was set in an interview but it involved two famous actors who had broken up due to their new film, “Romeo and Juliet”. The couple argued over whether the film should be a comedy or a tragedy. In the end, the couple reunite when the realise that ‘comedy and tragedy work perfectly together’. Shakespeare on Trial represented “Romeo and Juliet” quite well. First of all, it incorporated many various scenes within the performance, such as the balcony scene or the death of Mercutio. Additionally, the dialogue was exactly the same in the performance as it was in the original Romeo and Juliet play. This definitely assisted in the understanding of the performance because the
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