McKellan on Shakespeare

This is a tiny post today. I’ve been reading and seeing a lot of Shakespeare recently. I’m always fascinated by the Bard of Avon and how he has infected us with his poetry. His plays are beautiful relics of history, yet they remain universal and speak as much to us now as they ever did.

Many (Philip) do not appreciate them. I riposte that someone has ruined Shakespeare for you, you could not intelligently see a good production or read one of his plays and think ‘this is a load of old tripe innit?’ Someone has ruined it for you.

Should Shakespeare be lauded for being our national poet? For being the greatest poet/playwright in the English language? No. He’s just a bloody good writer. His work manages to be simple and complex at once.

Well, I wanted to introduce you to a treat that I found whilst wandering the web.

Back in time, Ian McKellan (pre-Gandalf days) toured the UK and other countries delivering a remarkable one man show called Acting Shakespeare. Well, if you follow this link, you can read the script for this wonderful show and learn something about both Shakespeare and McKellan. It is like being offered a glimpse into McKellan’s experience and I wanted to share it with you because I found it intriguing, inspiring and it helps people to learn that Shakespeare isn’t some lofty, removed figure. I mean – the man is dead, he’s as removed as can be, but his work is alive, and accessible to those who are willing to accept him with open arms.

Please enjoy Acting Shakespeare – the script.

Watch a clip of Acting Shakespeare here.