Speaking Shakespeare

by Patsy Rodenburg

In Speaking Shakespeare , Patsy Rodenburg tackles one of the most difficult acting speaking Shakespeare's words both as they were meant to be spoken and in an understandable and dramatic way. Rodenburg calls this "a simple manual to start the journey into the heart of Shakespeare," and that is what she gives us. With the same insight she displayed in The Actor Speaks , Rodenburg tackles the playing of all Shakespeare's characters. She uses dramatic resonance, breathing, and placement to show how an actor can bring Hamlet, Rosalind, Puck and other characters to life. This is one book every working actor must have.

Genres: Shakespeare, Nonfiction, Theatre, School, Language, Reference

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Lauren LoGiudice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I was just starting to understand the layers of my voice that were strained. Trauma makes it's way into your body which affects your voice. Patsy Rodenburg and her exercises with Shakespeare can help you break through.

I did a lot of similar work with a one-on-one teacher. It was helpful to have someone guide me through the uncovering process. I recommend the same if you're ready to dive deeper into your voice and presenting as much of yourself as you can to the world.

[Christine Bissonnette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional.

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

huge

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rodenburg is the real deal, as she has such a respect for language! Just read this line: "Clowns and fools in Shakespeare are anarchic figures who frequently exploit the apparent innocence of harmless-sounding rhymes to get away with voicing unpalatable truths to their masters." In sum, "[r]hyme enables a freedom of speech that would not otherwise be possible or safe" (146). The English major in me finds that glorious. In fact, I see Speaking Shakespeare as a spell book. It first guides you through vocal training and text analysis. Then, your imagination becomes free to bring worlds to life. If that's not magic, I don't know what is.

I haven't read all the speeches at the end of the book, but I'll return to them as I go through the Bard's plays. This book is a definite gem, one that I'm excited to keep learning from.

[M.L. Rio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for any dedicated Shakespeare actor. Rodenberg has a gift for making nebulous concepts concrete; moreover, she gives an actor the tools he needs to do this kind of deep textual analysis on his own, without her help. Personally I'd recommend that you read 'The Right to Speak' first, to get an introduction to Rodenburg's methods. You have to crawl before you can walk.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful for those who want exercises that further explore Shakespeare's text.

[Carina Cojeen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Step-by-step guide to the exercises to speak Shakespeare well. Fantastic resource from an inimitable teacher.

[Aubrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most comprehensive and completely accessible text on performing Shakespeare that I have yet encountered. Patsy Rodenburg perfectly joins the academic with the practical. She has such a wealth of knowledge and experience, but the way that this book is organized, that is not overwhelming. Rodenburg breaks down concepts in a way that can be explored, understood, and immediately applied. Though I had already encountered many of these concepts in my own stage work and some course study, this was a transformative journey through an actor's engagement with Shakespeare's work. This guide will be well worn as it joins the ranks in my go-to references.

[Romain · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lantern and guiding hand through the darkness.

[R.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

ESSENTIAL! Comprehensive, makes my life as an acting student much simpler and happier

[Sarah Harker · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Shakespearean actors, professional or amateur should read this book!

[Seth]

Essential reading if you want to act Shakespeare.

[Gerardo Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take pains; be perfect.

[Veronica Blair Ewing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is legitimately one of the most comprehensive and interesting books on the language of William Shakespeare, I had to do a dissertation on Shakespearean acting techniques in college, and this book as one of the more heavily cited among my resources.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

More shoptalk. Good stuff.

[Alex Ritchie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. Best way to tackle Shakespeare, hands down

[Miss Lemon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good stuff. But I doubt I would have dug the detailed discussion with page upon page of Shakespeare scenes. Gotta have the right motivation to read this one.