Never rush to judgement with Shakespeare CL. He's worth the benefit of the doubt.

When i was young, I couldn't afford theatre tickets, and videos weren't invented - so I knew Shakespeare through reading him. Even studied him at college.

Since seeing the plays - all my opinions have been reversed - the ones I thought were great, well they weren't great theatre. Theones that bored me and where nothing much seemed to be happening have nearly all been electrifying.

Great actors and directors, they see things differently from your English teacher. they are looking for creative opportunities, and Shakespeare is full of them. The poetry, the realism, the speech, the dialogue and so much fun!

I had the great joy of seeing in the Swan at Stratford, Deborah Warner's direction of Titus. Possibly the greatest version ever. Brian Cox as Titus. Richard MacCabe kicked off his career in that production. You came out of the theatre that night, and your heart sang. You felt privileged.

Of course I can't guarantee, you will make out as well as I did. Let Shakespeare run with it though. Titus - a man who will do anything to appease his enemies, and his enemies are just persistently cruel and ruthless.

But have you never watched Psycho, or Frenzy, or M, or an episode of Inspector frost. Shakespeare is at least as worthy an artist as these creators.