As Britain remembers the Bard on the 400th anniversary of his death, I’m reminded of how Shakespeare, uninvited, has drifted in and out of my world and my thoughts over many years, bringing pleasure, surprise and even paid work…
We all take his language for granted when using certain expressions (From “Brave new world”, to “Eaten me out of house and home”), and the themes of his best plays remain steadfastly universal. Throughout history Macbeths have come and gone, leaving countries reeling. Star crossed lovers of assorted combinations have faced adversity and tragedy; and that green eyed monster, jealousy has continued to cause downfall and vengeance.
Much of my own interest in Shakespeare has been defined by trying to find ways of engaging children. I’m not sure I engaged hugely as a child, although I remember crying uncontrollably at Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet.
And laughing out loud at his Taming of the Shrew.
When I was a child there were no theatre troupes or writers or artists to visit schools and inspire us. But things have changed. I’ve visited many schools to offer toy theatre workshops, murals and other creative projects using Shakespeare’s plays. Here is a shoebox theatre for Macbeth, made by a 10 year old…
There have been books as well of course, all of which have demanded a closer relationship with the plays through costume research, reference for settings, and reading different retellings, all of which has led me back to the plays.
But perhaps the thing that has inspired the most in my love of Shakespeare has been music. Especially opera. Verdi’s three Bard-based operas were the start: He turned Macbeth, Othello and Falstaff into operas that provide vivid and exciting interpretations of characters, immortalised by the great singers. Here is Maria Callas as Lady Macbeth:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fsOVCnE_WY
Then there were the Russians: Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet; Tchaikovsky’s take of the same story, and his Hamlet.
Then there was Mendelssohn, making midsummer magic at just 17 years old!
And Sibelius with his thrilling Tempest…
How those LP sleeves thrilled me! These musical works have become great friends and have opened a doorway for me. By loving the music I have loved the words – and so Shakespeare too.
This anniversary year will be littered with Shakespearean events, including my own family concerts, using some of this music. In Southampton I’ll be making my debut with their new professional orchestra SON, with A Midsummer Night’s Dream:
Then I go to Cheltenham for Prokofiev’s piano version of Romeo and Juliet, adapted from his ballet, with Alex Kirk playing as I paint.
And on November 13th I return to Hatfield for another Midsummer Night’s Dream with the de Havilland Philharmonic.
Details of all will be found on the events tab of this website.
These concerts with live art projected above the musicians bring together all the strands I love. Story, music, art. As a way to inspire children, I can’t think of a richer method of displaying the influence and power of England’s greatest writer.
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