The Show Must Go Online continues with Shakespeare’s Game of Thrones style saga, Henry VI.
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Rob Myles—Glasgow-based actor, writer, director and creator of The Shakespeare Deck—has organised a global cast of actors to participate in and complete weekly readings of Shakespeare’s complete plays.
WEDNESDAY 1 APR 7PM GMT / 12PM PST
HENRY VI PART I
Shakespeare’s @GameofThrones style saga begins.
A fractured kingdom. A boy king. A warrior woman with divine (or demonic) assistance. Let battle commence.https://t.co/73qXuXIS5W
CAST TO FOLLOW IN THREAD#ShowMustGoOnline
— Robert Myles (@robmyles) March 29, 2020
The cast from all around the UK, as well as other countries, donate their time and energy to bring to life Shakespeare’s works in the order in which they are thought to have been written. At a time when theatres around the world are closed, Rob Myles connects and directs the actors via meeting platform Zoom so that audiences can see the actors reading their lines via webcam as well as seeing all the characters in each scene at once.
Although the plays lack a theatrical setting, as well as costumes to fit the part, the dynamism and the clarity with which the actors speak make for The Show Must Go Online’s Shakespeare offerings a surprisingly humorous, no-frills approach to theatre performance that may very well form part of the viewing experience in future years.
THEATRICAL MAGIC!! Love this moment from #TamingoftheShrew
Live theatre (even on zoom) is such a joy!! #TheShowMuchGoOnline is so creative and wonderful.. I can’t bloody wait for the next one Weds at 7pm
Thank you @AilisDuff @robmyles @PeacheyLDN @Mind_the_Blog pic.twitter.com/yP2j5Qpss6
— Emmy Rose (@Miss_EmmyRose) March 30, 2020
Viewers on Youtube have so far been entertained by readings of The Two Gentleman Of Verona—which one commenter claimed was the funniest version he had ever seen—and The Taming Of The Shrew, with parts one and two of Henry VI following this week and next. The broadcasts are free to watch and remain online in case you missed the reading.
That said, a Patreon account has been set-up so that those wishing to support the project are able to do so. This is especially pertinent now as actors, musicians and all types of performers find themselves without any income for the foreseeable future. Also, actors from around the world are encouraged to take part by applying through the website as The Show Must Go Online will continue until each and every Shakespeare play has been performed.
If that’s one per week, you’ve got Shakespeare till the end of November to keep you company.