What has directors’ theatre done to Shakespeare on the 21st century stage? An examination of the effect on the text and performance of Shakespeare in three contemporary productions

Webber, Jennifer Claire (2020). What has directors’ theatre done to Shakespeare on the 21st century stage? An examination of the effect on the text and performance of Shakespeare in three contemporary productions. University of Birmingham. M.A.

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Abstract

This thesis explores the ways twenty-first century theatre directors reshape Shakespeare’s texts for performance, and the reasons why. After a discussion about the role of the modern day director and the term ‘directors’ theatre’, three contemporary productions are considered: Polly Findlay’s As You Like It at the National Theatre, Gregory Doran’s The Tempest at the Royal Shakespeare Company, and Emma Rice’s Twelfth Night at Shakespeare’s Globe. These three productions were all considered to be controversial and radical by critics, the directors staging ‘high concept’ performances and utilising set, staging, lighting and sound, digital technology, and altering the text in order to convey their ideas to audiences. The thesis looks at how ‘directors’ theatre’ can enhance Shakespeare as well as having drawbacks, exploring the extent to which directors are asserting their own influence over plays, and whether the director is now more important than Shakespeare.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Masters by Research > M.A.)

Award Type:

Masters by Research > M.A.

Supervisor(s):