Exploring the enduring influence of William Shakespeare, this anthology presents a collection of journal articles that analyze his works through a modern perspective. It highlights his impact across various genres, including theater and detective fiction, and examines contemporary interpretations, such as the Caribbean reimagining of Macbeth post-hurricanes. The foreword sets the tone for discussions on Shakespeare's legacy, the Shakespeare Apocrypha, and the use of computational tools in authorship studies, inviting readers to see Shakespeare as a vital part of ongoing cultural conversations.
Focusing on the methodologies and assumptions behind the inquiry into Shakespeare's authorship, this book delves into the complexities of identifying his true works. It examines various scholarly approaches and the historical context surrounding the debate, shedding light on how interpretations have evolved over time. By analyzing evidence and arguments, the text aims to clarify the ongoing discussions about the authenticity of Shakespeare's writings and the implications for literary studies.
Cheek by Jowl, founded by Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod in 1981, is one of the world's most critically acclaimed classical theatre companies. Across seventeen productions of Shakespeare (as well as several by his contemporaries and other European dramatists), Cheek by Jowl's experiments with text, space, light and bodies have produced bold reinventions of canonical and lesser-explored plays. Despite the pre-eminence of the company, its multiple awards and central place in the European repertory, this is the first substantive study of the company's body of work. This book situates Cheek by Jowl's work within the key institutions and traditions that have shaped the company's development from low-budget beginnings at the Edinburgh Festival to international celebration, while also focusing specifically on the company's use of Shakespeare to drive forward its practice. Drawing on the company's work in English, Russian and French, the book uses key productions as case studies to interrogate the company's unique style and build an argument for the distinctive insights offered by Cheek by Jowl's approach. The book draws on new interviews with creative and administrative company members from the full span of Cheek by Jowl's history as well as a full appraisal of the Cheek by Jowl archives, offering the first scholarly overview of the company's work.
