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| SHAKESPEARE |
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Posted by: Bill Shatner on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 12:51 AM
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Of all the roles I’ve played in my career, some of my most favorite were written by that most famous of scribes, Shakespeare. Recently, I had a most unusual experience that involved one of his plays, “Two Gentlemen From Verona.” I did a reading with many other actors, some of whom had never done Shakespeare before. They brought their artistry and originality to the experiences, so much so that I was awestruck. Some of these talented people included Billy Crystal, Robin Williams, Tom Hanks, and Rita Wilson, among others.
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I spent a lifetime doing Shakespeare and it reminded me again of what a free form it can be. I’d have to say that Henry V is probably my most favorite of these characters – he’s as big a hero as you can imagine because he’s rallying his troops and, after the battle, romances a French princess. It’s all very romantic and – an added plus – he talks a lot. All in all, it adds up to a wonderful experience for an actor.
I had such an experience at this reading. Shakespeare’s characters require a strong presence who speaks clearly and gives the character a unique facet or angle that no one has seen before. With such talented people participating, it was a uniquely thrilling event for me.
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| SHAKESPEARE | Log-in or register a new user account | 59 Comments |
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| Comments are statements made by the person that posted them.
They do not necessarily represent the opinions of the site editor. |
Re: SHAKESPEARE
(Score: 1)
by Yentamyrl on Jun 11, 2003 - 02:43 AM
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Dear Bill,
How I would have loved to be in the audience at the event you describe! I have read that you received acclaim for your Henry V early in your career. I am always amazed that an actor can get his/her tongue around Elizabethan English!
Please tell us why such a talented group performed together. I know others at WS.com would like to know more details about ANY of your projects.
A'bientot
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Re: SHAKESPEARE
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by Rainnie76 on Jun 11, 2003 - 04:04 AM
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Hi Bill.
I understand that you were at Stratford for awhile. I assume you must have done a few Shakespeare plays there as they always seem to have o­ne going. How long were you there? I've never had the opportunity to Stratford yet, but now that I am in Southern o­ntario I'm hoping to make it over there.
It seems that a lot of big Canadian actors spent time in that company, did you enjoy it? And do you feel it was a great benefit?
Thanks
-Janet
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Re: SHAKESPEARE
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by neil.com on Jun 11, 2003 - 08:45 AM
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hi BILL
I am going to london next month to a PATRICK STEWART fan club garthering and wonder which SHAKESPEARE play you would like to act in with PATRICK STEWART since you both share a love of SHAKESPEARE.
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Re: SHAKESPEARE
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by joains (ask@joains.com)
on Jun 11, 2003 - 02:31 PM
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I hope to, one day, see from 'fruits' from this reading. Please let us know if anything we might someday see comes from this. I know of at least one ticket you will sell, mine.
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Re: SHAKESPEARE
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by sueinbrum on Jun 11, 2003 - 05:48 PM
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Dear Bill,
I loved your description of Henry IV, I suppose that does make him the perfect part for an actor! I must say, having had to study King Lear, he wasn't short of a few things to say, but not nearly as dashing!
love sue
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Re: SHAKESPEARE
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by NinaAthy on Jun 11, 2003 - 07:25 PM
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Hi Bill (my Capt.Kirk)!
How utterly marvelous!! I love Shakespeare myself, too.....all of his comedies, tragedies, and romances.....one of my favorites is The Taming of the Shrew.....because it reminds me of myself and what my poor darling husband had to put up with to tame my temper....oh, it's bad, I fear....but my Bill is a remarkable Petruchio....endless patience and princely charm...he has my heart forevermore......anyways.....Shakespeare helped me learn how to talk in speech therapy for the deaf and see the world in a different and unique perspective so that I'm not quite so isolated.....the world would be so bleak were it not for the marvelous talent of Shakespeare.....Love you, Seven of Nina
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Re: SHAKESPEARE
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by T'Prel on Jun 15, 2003 - 12:34 AM
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Dear Mr. Shatner,
I am a big fan of Shakespeare myself having played Helena in my high school production. My mother read his plays to me as bed time stories. I am majoring in theater and hope to get the chance to perform with you. It is good to know that his plays are being revitalized and kept alive. Thank you so much!
Love always, T'Prel
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Re: SHAKESPEARE
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by rust on Jun 18, 2003 - 08:17 AM
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The first times I tried Shakespeare, I got lost in the language. o­nce I relaxed and found the cadence of the character's speech, I found it so natural, even lyrical, the words ceased being "words," rather a flow of sounds with wonderful rising and falling nuances.
I sure that you, Bill, understand this. How fortunate for you to have done Stratford.
</envy>
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Re: SHAKESPEARE
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by BerryAnn on Jun 18, 2003 - 07:02 PM
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Dear Bill,
thank You very much for sharing and describing this event !
I want also to say, that it is a dream of mine (or wish), to see You o­ne time ina a theather play ...
With many greetings and best wishes from Germany/ Europe,
BerryAnn
- fan forever -
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Re: SHAKESPEARE
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by LameDeer on Jun 22, 2003 - 01:45 PM
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Bill,
What a load of Shatner, I can't believe such a vain-glorious attempt at self-promotion could be possible, but I am utterly <em>'stunned' </em>and shocked all at the same time. I see in the right corner another attempt at self-promotion to 'Bring Himself Back', Lazarus like - this man has no shame, even if he has zero to do with the site itself. Also, do you really think we're interested in what your daughter has to say? Please. Your mediocre contribution will be forgotten soon enough, never forget that. Do us all a favor - get a life.
Lame Deer
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Re: SHAKESPEARE by Neospock on Jul 04, 2003 - 02:40 PM
Re: SHAKESPEARE
(Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Jun 23, 2003 - 10:45 AM
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I DONT MEAN TO BE SHAKESPEARE'S BLACK CLOUD BUT I READ SOME OF THESE POSTS COMMENTING o­n BILL OR HIS DAUGHTER ALONG WITH OTHERS AND SOME OF YOU PEOPLE ARE STRAIGHT "NUTS"!BILL WAS RIGHT"GET A LIFE" !BILL IS A MAN,A HUMAN BEING WHO WORKS AS AN ACTOR o­n OR IN FILMS AND EVEN STAGES. PEOPLE LOSE TOUCH WITH REALITY WHEN THEY COME CLOSE ENOUGH TO A SO CALLED MOVIE STAR(THEY'RE PEOPLE)!!!BILL IS AN EARLY RISER AND I BET HE PUTS HIS PANTS o­n -ONE LEG AT A TIME LIKE U & ME!I'M SORRY IF I AM COMING ACROSS AS AN #@*#@&amp;*,I JUST CANT BELIEVE WHAT I READ SOMETIMES.
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Re: SHAKESPEARE
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by Neospock on Jul 04, 2003 - 02:35 PM
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Hi there Bill my name is Akil Dowe and I am aspiring to be an actor i was thinking of starting off with shakespeare and working my way up. I think shakespeare is great but i find the language difficult at times my favourite is a choice between Macbeth or Hamlet. I also find shakespeare also gives us a brilliant insight into the past and the human condition and I'm glad an actor as great as yourself can appreciate shakespeare because sometimes I feel that too many of the actors today shrug it off. I think you have a beautiful daughter and family Bill. p.s which is your favourite enterprise without bias (a,b,c,d,e)? and I was wondering if you could talk about Captain Kirk's religious orientation in comparison to your's?
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Re: Star trek and Star wars
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by Neospock on Jul 04, 2003 - 02:56 PM
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Hi there Bill this is off- the-cuff but I was wondering if you have ever met or spoken to any of the cast from star wars e.g. mark hamill,carrie fisher,harrison ford etc. it would be nice to hear good comparisons between the to cult classics and how they coefficently attract fans.
p.s next week i am getting yourbook man'o'war and am looking forward to reading it. Iam also wondering if melanie is involved in this lucrative website?
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Re: SHAKESPEARE
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by KrazyBrit (writerinadress@yahoo.com)
on Jul 06, 2003 - 04:55 AM
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I am quite a blessed individual. I attended High School in England. My father was in the Air Force. (Of course this was almost 30 years ago). With my Drama class I attended at least four Shakespeare plays. Two of which was in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre Company in Straford-Upon-Avon. I saw "Taming of a Shrew" and "Othello", both very thrilling to watch. I saw a second version of "Taming of a Shrew" at a local Theatre Company that had a stage set up just like the original stage they used way back in the days of William Shakespeare. Where the stage was at an angle and the audience was seated on a flat seating arrangement. I am so glad that modern seating is at an angle not the stage.
Anyways, I still find Shakespeare a thrilling experience and the memories of those performance are some of the 'best/ times I had in my drama class. It made me appreciate Shakespeare and I feel I have a better understanding from the experience.
Just thought I'd share some memories with everyone. Shakespeare rocks!
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Re: SHAKESPEARE
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by The-Wrath-of-Pooh (Poohscorner.com)
on Jul 06, 2003 - 07:57 PM
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<font face="Arial" size="2">Hi Bill,
That must have been a truly wonderful experience. If you ever decide to do this in a "Staged Performance" format, I can guarantee you will sell some tickets, mine being among the first.
I have always enjoyed your Shakesperian roots which show in so much of the work you do!
Congrats o­n the reading, and may you enjoy many experiences like this in the future.
The-Wrath-of-Pooh
</font>
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Re: Family of Strangers
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by JGemini (kittycat1983@hotmail.com)
on Jul 07, 2003 - 04:50 AM
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When I first saw this movie, it really hit home what a real family was. It is not just the people you live with that count, it is the people that love you and care about you that count. I know this because I too was adopted and have just in the past two years reconnected with my birth family.
Growing up I always felt that there was a part of me missing and didn't know what. Now that I have reconnected with my birth family, I know what it was. It was the sense of belonging. I belong to both families, even though I grew up with one and not the other.
I have found that being a part of two families is very confusing at times, but has its up sides too. Like at Christmas, I always know I have somewhere I can go to to celebrate. Or on a Saturday night in the summer, I can always count on SOMEONE not having definate plans and going out with them.
This movie really struck a cord with me because of all the little reasons, not just the big ones. At least I now know where I belong in this world and always have someone who understands what I am going through. Even if I didn't grow up with them.
Life is changing quite fast these days and I know I can't count on it staying the same forever at all. But that doesn't change the fact that I will always belong to two families.
Sometimes, being adopted is a real drag, knowing how much I missed out on. But at others it is blessing in disguise, because I know that no matter what, things turned out the way the should be.
Feel free to email me with/about any questions or comments you may have. My email address for those who wish to contact me is: kittycat1983@hotmail.com.
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Re: SHAKESPEARE
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by IanTheGreat on Jul 21, 2003 - 12:46 AM
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Dear Mr. Shatner,
I have been trying to reach you. Please Reply. My son is o­n stage at STRATFORD, o­nTARIO. He would really like you to come see him perform. I can , of course, offer you free tickets. Please reply. The schedule can be seen at <http://www.stratfordfestival.ca let me know when you can come.
If anyone knows a better way to reach Mr. Shatner, please reply.
Ian's mom.
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Re: SHAKESPEARE
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by kwwtexas on Jul 26, 2003 - 11:49 AM
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Reminds of a Joke;
Two little boys were playing together; o­ne was 6years old and o­ne was o­nly 4. The 6 years old boy never missed an opportunity to show the little guy up. While they were watching TV together, someone o­n the TV show said the famous line "to be or not to be". The older boy said to the younger o­ne, "you know who said that don't you?" The little guy shook his head, wide eyed.
"A very famous person said that. His name was William SShhatner"
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Re: SHAKESPEARE
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by kwwtexas on Jul 26, 2003 - 12:14 PM
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To those who are still strugeling with understanding old Shakespearian language, her's how I over came that problem, but it takes patience.
I watched Hamlet performed o­n VHS, just to get an overview of the story. Alot of the language went over my head. Then I read the story, slowly, till I could understand it. Whats great about Hamlet, is there are so many famous lines that you will recognise. Then I watched the same VHS over again. What a difference!
The version I watched was with Mel Gibson, who is by himself enough eye candy, but the cinematography and directing of the movie was great too. Hope this helps those who wish they had more "culture"
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Re: SHAKESPEARE
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by Lester on Oct 07, 2003 - 04:27 PM
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"To Be Or Not To Be" I wonder if William Shakespeare would be politically correct in this time?! I feel close to his understanding having been born April 22nd close to his birthday. I see how you are inclined to admire him and his works. Patrick Stewart is also very caught up with
Shakespearian pursuits. Most actors must break with the political forces of our times to even BE! Keep o­n Being William S.
Lester
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Re: SHAKESPEARE
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by Boats_10 on Dec 07, 2003 - 06:56 AM
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Bill,
As i understand it, you o­nce played in William Shakespear's Julius Ceasar. i heard that you played Antony, Ceasars kin. I also have played this part in High school and I believe I played the part as you would have. I have seen many TV shows with you as either the main character, or a suporting acter, and I have spent my short lived time o­n stage thinking of your performances, and trying to go beyond that. however, i dont' think I ever succeeded. But I gave my best shot.
You, among other actors o­n the big screen, have been an inspiration to me. As an amature acter, i will always strive to be better than i am. I didn't perform the whole play of JC, but I did do the monologue that takes place after Ceasar's death. "Friends, Romans, Countrymen......" My instructor told me that I captured the audiance in a way he has never seen before, and I would make a great acter and maybe take a place among the greats someday.
I have never seen Your performance of Julius Ceasar, but I would love to see it someday. I have been told that there are video takes of it and i would love to get o­ne.
Boats
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