Shakespeare Re imagined - King Lear

Synopsis 

Lear, the aging king of Britain, decides to step down from the throne and divide his kingdom evenly among his three daughters. First, however, he puts his daughters through a test, asking each to tell him how much she loves him. Goneril and Regan, Lear’s older daughters, give their father flattering answers. But Cordelia, Lear’s youngest and favorite daughter, remains silent, saying that she has no words to describe how much she loves her father. Lear flies into a rage and disowns Cordelia. The king of France, who has courted Cordelia, says that he still wants to marry her even without her land, and she accompanies him to France without her father’s blessing. Lear quickly learns that he made a bad decision. Goneril and Regan swiftly begin to undermine the little authority that Lear still holds. Unable to believe that his beloved daughters are betraying him, Lear slowly goes insane. He flees his daughters’ houses to wander on a heath during a great thunderstorm, accompanied by his Fool and by Kent, a loyal nobleman in disguise. Meanwhile, an elderly nobleman named Gloucester also experiences family problems. His illegitimate son, Edmund, tricks him into believing that his legitimate son, Edgar, is trying to kill him. Fleeing the manhunt that his father has set for him, Edgar disguises himself as a crazy beggar and calls himself “Poor Tom.” Like Lear, he heads out onto the heath. When the loyal Gloucester realizes that Lear’s daughters have turned against their father, he decides to help Lear in spite of the danger. Regan and her husband, Cornwall, discover him helping Lear, accuse him of treason, blind him, and turn him out to wander the countryside. He ends up being led by his disguised son, Edgar, toward the city of Dover, where Lear has also been brought. In Dover, a French army lands as part of an invasion led by Cordelia in an effort to save her father. Edmund apparently becomes romantically entangled with both Regan and Goneril, whose husband, Albany, is increasingly sympathetic to Lear’s cause. Goneril and Edmund conspire to kill Albany. The despairing Gloucester tries to commit suicide, but Edgar saves him by pulling the strange trick of leading him off an imaginary cliff. Meanwhile, the English troops reach Dover, and the English, led by Edmund, defeat the Cordelia-led French. Lear and Cordelia are captured. In the climactic scene, Edgar duels with and kills Edmund; we learn of the death of Gloucester; Goneril poisons Regan out of jealousy over Edmund and then kills herself when her treachery is revealed to Albany; Edmund’s betrayal of Cordelia leads to her needless execution in prison; and Lear finally dies out of grief at Cordelia’s passing. Albany, Edgar, and the elderly Kent are left to take care of the country under a cloud of sorrow and regret.

YouTube Summary-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptXr7LKylpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DD-PQPOw5cU

Character

• Lear, King of Britain
• Goneril (sometimes written Gonerill or Gonoril),

eldest daughter of Lear

• Regan, second daughter of Lear
• Cordelia, youngest daughter of Lear
• Duke of Albany, husband to Goneril
• Duke of Cornwall, husband to Regan
• Earl of Gloucester (sometimes written as Gloster)
• Earl of Kent, often appearing under the disguise of Caius
• Edgar, son of Gloucester
• Edmund (sometimes written Edmond), illegitimate son of Gloucester
• Oswald, steward to Goneril
• Fool, Lear's fool or court jester
• King of France, suitor and later husband to Cordelia
• Duke of Burgundy, suitor to Cordelia
• Curan, a courtier
• Old man, tenant of Gloucester
• A Doctor
• An Officer employed by Edmund 
• A Gentleman attending on Cordelia 
• A Herald
• Servants to Cornwall
• Knights of Lear's Train
• Officers
• Messengers
• Soldiers
• Attendants

Themes

• Appearance Vs Reality
• Justice
• Compassion and Reconciliation
• The Natural Order
• Blindness
• Parent/Child Relationships 
• Betrayal
• Madness

Previous Productions

Shakespeare Globe 2008

http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/education/discovery-space/previous-productions/king-lear-1

National Theater 

http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/king-lear

Shakespeare Re imagined- Midsummer Night's Dream

Synopsis
Lysander loves Hermia, and Hermia loves Lysander. Helena loves Demetrius; Demetrius used to love Helena but now loves Hermia. Egeus, Hermia's father, prefers Demetrius as a suitor, and enlists the aid of Theseus, the Duke of Athens, to enforce his wishes upon his daughter. According to Athenian law, Hermia is given four days to choose between Demetrius, life in a nunnery, or a death sentence. Hermia, ever defiant, chooses to escape with Lysander into the surrounding forest.
Complications arise in the forest. Oberon and Titania, King and Queen of Fairies, are locked in a dispute over a boy whom Titania has adopted. Oberon instructs his servant Puck to bring him magic love drops, which Oberon will sprinkle on the Queen's eyelids as she sleeps, whereupon Titania will fall in love with the first creature she sees upon awakening. Meanwhile, Helena and Demetrius have also fled into the woods after Lysander and Hermia. Oberon, overhearing Demetrius's denouncement of Helena, takes pity upon her and tells Puck to place the magic drops upon the eyelids of Demetrius as well, so that Demetrius may fall in love with Helena. Puck, however, makes the mistake of putting the drops on the eyelids of Lysander instead. Helena stumbles over Lysander in the forest, and the spell is cast; Lysander now desires Helena and renounces a stunned Hermia.
In the midst of this chaos, a group of craftsmen are rehearsing for a production of "Pyramus and Thisbe," to be played for the Duke at his wedding. Puck impishly casts a spell on Bottom to give him the head of a donkey. Bottom, as luck would have it, is the first thing Titania sees when she awakens; hence, Bottom ends up being lavishly kept by the Queen. Oberon enjoys this sport, but is less amused when it becomes apparent that Puck has botched up the attempt to unite Demetrius and Helena. Oberon himself anoints Demetrius with the love potion and ensures that Helena is the first person he sees; however, Helena understandably feels that she is now being mocked by both Demetrius and Lysander (who is still magically enamored of her).
Finally, Oberon decides that all good sports must come to an end. He puts the four lovers to sleep and gives Lysander the antidote for the love potion so that he will love Hermia again when they all wake up. Next, Oberon gives Titania the antidote, and the King and Queen reconcile. Theseus and Hippolyta then discover Lysander, Hermia, Helena, and Demetrius asleep in the forest. All return to Athens to make sense of what they think is a strange dream. Likewise, Bottom returns to his players, and they perform "Pyramus and Thisbe" at the wedding feast (which has since become a wedding of three couples). As everyone retires, fairies perform their blessings and Puck delivers a tender epilogue soliloquy.

http://www.bardweb.net/plays/dream.html

Youtube summary of the play that i have watched 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1wMfOwlAZ8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdcKPQY8b2U

Characters

• Theseus, Duke of Athens
• Egeus, father of Hermia
• Lysander, in love with Hermia
• Demetrius, in love with Hermia
• Philosrate, Master of the Revels
• Quince, a carpenter
• Snug, a joiner
• Bottom, a weaver
• Flute, a bellows-mender
• Snout, a tinker
• Starveling, a tailor
• Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons; betrothed of Theseus
• Hermia, in love with Lysander
• Helena, in love with Demetrius
• Oberon, King of Fairies
• Titania, Queen of Fairies
• Puck, or Robin Goodfellow
• Peaseblossom, a fairy
• Cobway, a fairy
• Moth, a fairy
• Mustardseed, a fairy
• Other Fairies, attendants to Oberon and Titania
• Attendants to Theseus and Hippolyta

Themes

• Love
• Marriage
• Order and Disorder 
• Appearance and Reality 
• Nature
• Sleep and Dreams
• Magic
• Blind Love

Ideas

• Magic
• The Play in the Wedding
• Love Triangle 
• Higher Power Controlling Things

Previous Productions 

 

Royal Shakespeare Company 

http://www.rsc.org.uk/explore/shakespeare/plays/a-midsummer-nights-dream/

Deafinitely Theatre

http://www.deafinitelytheatre.co.uk/index.php?plid=114

Shakespeare Re imagined: Macbeth

Macbeth

Synopsis 

The play opens as three witches plan a meeting with the Scottish nobleman Macbeth, who at that moment is fighting in a great battle. When the battle is over, Macbeth and his friend Banquo come across the witches who offer them three predictions: that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland, and that Banquo's descendants will become kings.

Banquo laughs at the prophecies but Macbeth is excited, especially as soon after their meeting with the witches Macbeth is made Thane of Cawdor by King Duncan, in return for his bravery in the battle. He writes to his wife, Lady Macbeth, who is as excited as he is. A messenger tells Lady Macbeth that King Duncan is on his way to their castle and she invokes evil spirits to help her slay him. Macbeth is talked into killing Duncan by his wife and stabs him to death. No-one is quite sure who committed this murder and no-one feels safe, but Macbeth is crowned king.

Now that Macbeth is king he knows the second prediction from the witches has come true, but he starts to fear the third prediction (that Banquo's descendants will also be kings). Macbeth therefore decides to kill Banquo and his son, but the plan goes wrong - Banquo is killed but his son escapes. Macbeth then thinks he is going mad because he sees Banquo's ghost and receives more predictions from the witches. He starts to become ruthless and kills the family of Macduff, an important lord. Macbeth still thinks he is safe but one by one the witches' prophecies come true, Lady Macbeth cannot stop thinking about Duncan, becomes deranged and dies. A large army marches on Macbeth's castle and Macbeth is killed by Macduff.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english_literature/dramamacbeth/1drama_macbeth_plotrev1.shtml

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkBp-2fAbiU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFtCYESosDw

i found this website helpful as not only did it tell me a detailed synopsis and explained the characters in an interesting and detailed way but it also gave me some history about Macbeth and why it was written which i found insitful and sparked some ideas for a piece of theater that we could create. 

http://www.macbethonbroadway.com/macbeth-synopsis.html

Characters 

Macbeth A captain in Duncan's army, later the Thane (Lord) of Glamis and Cawdor. When Three Witches predict that he will one day be king of Scotland, he takes his fate into his own hands, allowing his ambition and that of his wife to overcome his better judgement. His bloody reign culminates in a battle against Malcolm and the English forces.

Lady Macbeth The devilish wife of Macbeth, whose ambition helps to drive her husband toward the desperate act of murder. Subsequently, her husband's cruelty and her own guilt recoil on her, sending her into a madness from which she never recovers.

Banquo A fellow-captain and companion of Macbeth, who also receives a prophecy from the Witches: that his children will one day succeed to the throne of Scotland. This information is sufficient to spell his death at the hands of the resentful Macbeth, who is later haunted by Banquo's ghost.

Duncan King of Scotland. His victories against rebellious kinsmen and the Norwegians have made him a popular and honored king. His decision to pass the kingdom to his son Malcolm provokes his untimely death at the hands of Macbeth.

Fleance Banquo's son, who, by escaping Macbeth's plot on his life, will go on to be father to a line of kings.

Donalbain and Malcolm Duncan's two sons. Fearful of implication in their father's murder, they flee Scotland, Donalbain to Ireland and Malcolm to England, where he raises a large army with the intention of toppling the tyrant Macbeth.

Macduff A thane (nobleman) of Scotland who discovers the murdered King Duncan. Suspecting Macbeth and eventually turning against him, Macduff later flees to England to join Malcolm. When Macbeth arranges the murder of his wife and children, Macduff swears personal revenge.

Lennox, Ross, Menteth, Angus, Caithness Thanes of Scotland, all of whom eventually turn against the tyrannical Macbeth.

The Porter, the Old Man, the Doctors Three commentators on events, all of whom have a certain degree of wisdom and foresight. The Porter hints at the Hell-like nature of Macbeth's castle; the Old Man associates the murder of King Duncan with the instability of the natural world; the Doctors recognize disease and disorder even though they cannot cure it.

The Witches Three agents of Fate who reveal the truth (or part of it) to Macbeth and Banquo and who later appear to confirm the downfall and tragic destiny of the tyrannical Macbeth

Themes 

• Ambition
• Kingship
• Fate and Free will
• Appearance and Reality 

Reccuring elements or patterns

• Nature and The Natural World
• Light and Darkeness
• Children 
• Blood 
• Sleep Visions

Ideas

Gun powder plot 

'It is known that Shakespeare wrote Macbeth partially as a celebration of King James, who had just ascended the throne in 1603. King James had a great fascination with witches, and the witches of Macbeth were likely inspired by his interest. In addition, much of the plot of Macbethis surmised to have been inspired by the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when a group of English Catholics attempted to assassinate King James of England, as well as King James VI of Scotland.'

Nature/Setting

Set the play in one setting

• The woods in which the witches met
• Lady Macbeths Room

A Curse

• Sleepover Horror Story
• Ghost Hunt 

Previous Productions 

Bell Shakespeare 2012 

http://www.bellshakespeare.com.au/whatson/past/2012/macbeth

National Theater of Scotland

http://www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/content/default.asp?page=home_Macbeth 

Shakespeare Reimagined: The Tempest

The Tempest 

Synopsis 

Prospero, a sorcerer and the rightful Duke of Milan, dwells on an enchanted isle with his daughter, Miranda. Twelve years earlier, the duke's brother, Antonio, and Alonso, the King of Naples, conspired to usurp his throne. They set Prospero and Miranda adrift in a boat, and they eventually found themselves marooned on the island. Prospero is served on his island by Ariel, a spirit who he freed from a tree with magic, and Caliban, son of the witch Sycorax. When magic reveals that a ship bearing his old enemies is sailing near the island, Prospero summons a storm to wreck their ship. The survivors make it to shore in scattered groups. Among these is Ferdinand, the son of Alonso. He is lulled to Prospero's abode by the singing of Ariel; there he meets Miranda, who is enthralled with the young prince.

Meanwhile, Antonio, Alonso, Sebastian, and Gonzalo wander the island in search of Ferdinand. Antonio now plots with Sebastian to murder Alonso, but this plot is thwarted by Ariel. Elsewhere on the island, Stephano and Trinculo encounter Caliban. After sharing a few drinks, Caliban tries to enlist the two in a plot to kill Prospero and rule the island himself. He even promises Miranda to Stephano. Ariel, however, reports all these goings-on to Prospero. In the meantime, Miranda and Ferdinand pledge their troth to each other.

Prospero isn't finished with his sport of Antonio and Alonso, either. He creates a magical banquet for the two men that vanishes whenever they try to eat. He also sends Ariel in the guise of a harpy to hound them for their crimes against Prospero. Later, at a masque to celebrate the upcoming marriage of Miranda and Ferdinand, Prospero remembers Caliban's plot and abruptly calls the revels to a halt. He sends Ariel to punish them as well; the spirit does so by first luring them with some fancy clothes, then setting other island spirits upon them in the shape of hunting dogs that chase them around the island.

Finally, Prospero confronts his brother and Alonso, revealing his true identity as the rightful Duke of Milan. He demands that Antonio restore his throne; he also rebukes Sebastian for plotting against his own brother. To Alonso, he reveals Ferdinand alive and well, playing chess with Miranda. As a final act, Prospero abandons his magic and releases Ariel and Caliban from their servitude. From Ariel, Prospero asks for one last boon: calm seas and favorable winds for their trip back to Naples.

http://www.bardweb.net/plays/tempest.html

I have also watched a few videos on YouTube to help further my understanding on this play the most helpful was this video- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOlJpXa8qoQ

Characters

• Alonso, King of Naples
• Sebastian, his brother
• Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan
• Antonio, his brother; the usurping Duke of Milan
• Ferdinand, son of the King
• Gonzalo, an old and honest councilor
• Adrian, a lord
• Francisco, a lord
• Caliban, Prospero's slave
• Trinculo, a jester
• Stephano, a drunken butler
• Master of a ship
• Boatswain
• Mariners
• Miranda, Prospero's daughter
• Ariel, an airy spirit
• Iris, a spirit
• Ceres, a spirit
• Juno, a spirit
• Nymphs
• Reapers
• Other Spirits; attendants to Prospero

Themes of the Play

• Loss and Restoration 
• Power and Control
• Magic and Illusion
• Betrayal, Revenge and Forgiveness 

Previous Productions of the Play

Royal Shakespeare Company  2012

This production of the play seems to be a more modernized version of Shakespeare original play,  having more of a simplistic approach to the story while still maintaining the themes and truthful relationships that Shakespeare intended.   

http://www.rsc.org.uk/explore/shakespeare/plays/the-tempest/tempest-david-farr-2012.aspx

http://www.rsc.org.uk/explore/shakespeare/plays/the-tempest/tempest-2012-mini-documentary.aspx 

Cheek by Jowl 2011-14

http://www.cheekbyjowl.com/the_tempest.php