Much Ado about Nothing?

On Saturday, March 27th, we will gather to read Shakespeare's delightful comedy, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING at the Brentwood City Library on Concord Rd. We'll be in the Children's Reading room--a WONDROUS place--and it should be a delightful time. I'm musing about the correlations between MUCH ADO and LOVE'S LABOR'S. Benedict and Berowne are very similar characters, as are Beatrice and Rosaline. We read LLL in May of 2009, and since we're reading these plays in a suggested order of when they were written, it appears that Beatrice and Benedict are the products of a later stage of Shakespeare's writing. Wittier, more in sync, deeper and even more human than the previous creations. I think their match is a good one and their marriage will succeed. Not so sure about Berowne and Ros.

The next few months of Shakespeare Allowed are exciting--AS YOU LIKE IT, followed by JULIUS CAESAR followed by HAMLET.
Great plays, good times!

Join us! It's fun. =Denice
p.s. Does anybody have any ideas about where a good place to socialize after the readings might be? Downtown Nashville--within walking distance of the library--food/drinks/not too loud? Let me know and we'll start going April 3! =D

Shakespeare Allowed! at the Brentwood Library

Please join us as we read Henry the Fourth Part 2 aloud this Saturday at the Brentwood Library! 8109 Concord Road Brentwood, TN 37027

The Nashville Shakespeare Festival in partnership with the Public Libraries is hosting community readings of one of Shakespeare's plays each month. We will be at the downtown Nashville library the 1st Saturday of each month (except for July, and that will be the second Saturday) and the Brentwood library on 3rd Saturday of the month (with a few exceptions, see the website for specifics).

The purpose of these gatherings is simply to read Shakespeare's works out loud. To say and hear the words as we look at them. It's a lot of fun, it's open to the public and all readers are welcome to join us. There are 12-16 reading-aloud chairs available and ample seating for everyone else who chooses to read along.

The readings begin at 1pm and most are done by 3:30p. Reading chairs fill up quickly, so plan to arrive early. Bring your own copy of the play and some friends and come play!

For more info, see the Shakespeare Festival's website: www.nashvilleshakes.org

See you at the library!
=Denice

Teach Shakespeare However You Want -- Just Keep His Language Alive | Edutopia

I read this article today and this quote reminded me of what we're doing every month in the Shakespeare Allowed! program: "...it's probably a good idea just to let the beat go on, immersing students in the compelling rhythms of the iambs, trochees, and dactyls without, at first, slowing them with too much analysis. At least they'll encounter, if only once, a flow of speech at its most magical. At best, a seed will be planted for future fascination, when the complexities of life -- and language -- become more intriguing." That is what Shakespeare Allowed is all about for me. Just reading the words out loud. Whether it's a first encounter with the play or a revisiting of an old favorite, there is nothing like just reading the words aloud. I'm really looking forward to continuing on this journey with you! See you in February!


Teach Shakespeare However You Want -- Just Keep His Language Alive | Edutopia