About

Why adapt Shakespeare into contemporary prose when his language is timeless? Firstly, Shakespeare is difficult. Professional actors need weeks of rehearsal and often, at the most prestigious companies, enjoy specialized diction and voice coaching prior to performance. To expect a school pupil to grasp, enjoy and then attempt essays on Shakespeare is too much, particularly if Shakespeare is badly and ploddingly taught, which is often the case.  So many young people have been put off not just Shakespeare but literature and theatre in general because of clumsy and lame teaching. These adaptations are not a substitute for reading the original, merely a compromised approach to Shakespeare for readers to enjoy without feeling intimidated or stupid. Hopefully they will be a stepping-stone to greater understanding and pleasure. Please enjoy these adaptations for what they are and feel free to disagree with any interpretations therein!