I agree Jack. I heard years ago a recording of a chap who claimed to be able to read Shakespeare in the correct accent of the time, which had a Northern sound to it. Shakespoke apparently didn't speak with a posh, southern, BBC accent at all. I was amused to read in the paper that GCSE examiners in English Literature don't like the youngsters using modern speech when answering their exam questions. For instance, "Othello was a total twit 'cos Iago could twist him round his little finger." I think it's perfectly acceptable as long as one can understand it and get the gist. Do they expect their young pupils to speak with an Eton turn of phrase? It is indeed snobbery, and creates a barrier to enjoying plays and novels at one's own pace and level. I can't like it myself, but I've no objection to others getting into 'lite' classical stuff!