I agree, Alan. In preparing their parts, the *actors* need to understand every word they are saying, but the audience really doesn't need to. It is the characters and situations which "make" the stories and it is these, when prepared well by the actors privately and in rehearsal, which will draw the audience in. The actor has to "eat" the words, so that they become a part of him and he becomes the person who is speaking them.This is true of any play, old or modern. I've been lucky enough to have performed in several Shakespeare plays, and prepared and performed speeches from many others, and one thing I (and other people) have found that seems to be unique to Shakespeare is that his choice of words, rhythm and pattern actually *tell* you how to speak the words, and that as you speak the words, the feeling that the character is having becomes very real to you, helping you to "become" them. It becomes a kind of "virtuous circle": Speak the words - feel the feeling - speak the words ......

I think things have been changing for some time in the way Shakespeare is approached and acted. You will find far less "Received Pronunciation" and heightened, stylized portrayal now, and far more of a natural, "real" style. A fascinating place to go is the exhibition at Shakespeare's Globe in London, where you can hear parallel recordings of well-known speeches by well-known actors, dating from the earliest wax cylinder recordings to the present day.

The way Shakespeare has been approached in schools has had a lot to answer for - and is, I'm sure, the reason why so many people in adult life fight shy of him. It will take some years to filter through, but increasingly the very youngest generation of schoolchildren are now being introduced to the characters, situations and (at least some of) the language of Shakespeare before they are 11. I've just directed 30 eleven-year-olds in a "Shakespeare4Kidz" production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and it has been such a delight to see them entering into the characters, situations and words totally fearlessly and with infectious gusto. I really hope that the fun and fearlessness they have had in their first experience of Shakespeare will continue.

Here's a quote of a conversation amongst a group of 11-year-olds that is cited by their teacher in the book: "Shakespeare for All in Primary Schools":

Ashley: Schools should let you act them, though. You learn more.
Charlotte: Did you like the words ? I love the words.
Lewis: Yes, the words are alright, but you've got to say them.
Sheana: Acting's the best, and words are second.
Craig: No, Shakespeare;s words are for saying and acting. That's why he wrote them.

Brilliant stuff !

- jeanie