"sort of like giving Hamlet a happy ending."
,..,

Without getting too involved in the minutiæ of this thread, I feel it might be pertinent to point out that is exactly what C18 Poet Laureate Nahum Tate did, & his versions became the standard ones for production for a while, and have occasionally been revived for historical interest --

"In 1985, the Riverside Shakespeare Company of New York City staged Tate's History of King Lear in its original form, "happy ending" and all" - wiki.

My point being that the foolish fashion passed, the originals became the properly regarded and respected texts again; which is what happens when these fads catch on for a bit. It is never fatal to the originals. Whatever one thinks of the doctored recordings and versions we are here concerned with, the originals will not be lost, but will continue to exist alongside, & certainly outlast them.

Not that I don't see Jim's point. I do, very much so; but thought these observations might afford some consolation as a probable future projection.

~M~