Interesting thread!

I think I got grabbed quite young, by seeing Olivier's Henry V on television in the 60's. I was probably around 7 or 8 at the time, but as well as enjoying the fight scenes, & the almost comic Pistol, Nym, & Bardolph, & Fluellen too, I suppose...what REALLY grabbed me, of course, was the speeches.... I could see how that stirring stuff was effective in hyping the troops up for battle, & from then on, I couldnt get enough. Henry V remains my favourite of Shakespeare.

(thinking about it, possibly it worked cos I had seen my Dads scars from WW2...)

I was less impressed by A Midsummer Nights Dream at that age (no more than about 9yo, if that) & was watching what I THINK was prob. the Mickey Rooney one, & got sent to bed, & worse, for complaining 'oh no, more bloodyfairies'....