This weekend marked another milestone in my dramatic endeavours. It was my first time doing a legitimate version of one of Shakespeare's works. Before now the closest I ever got to the "Bard of Stratford on Avon" was in "Kiss Me Kate" which is a musical retelling of "The Taming of the Shrew".
It was an experience that I will never forget. But to truly understand what this weekend meant to me it must be put into perspective. First, if you have ever read Shakespeare then you know how difficult it is. Now imagine sitting down for your first read through with a group of actors you have never met before aside from the director, and reading lines like these.
"Then is courtesy a turncoat, but it is certain I am loved of all ladies, only you excepted, and I would I could find in my heart that I had not a hard heart for truly I love none."
Or...
"Sir I will meet your wit in the career, and you charge it against me, I pray you choose another subject."
or my personal favorite...
"Against my will I am sent to bid you come to dinner. There's double meaning in that. I took no more pain for those thanks than you took pains to thank me. That's as good as saying any pain you take for me is as good as thanks, if I don't take pity on the lady I am a villain."
Yes it was enough to make my head spin. How in the hell was I going to be able to successfully pull this off. It was very daunting doubly because I was picked to portray Benedick, the male lead. It was most interesting because for weeks I couldn't get through the majority of my lines without tripping over my tongue every third word.
Slowly but surely however, and with the help of some very good friends and talented castmates, I finally was able to get a grip on the meaning of the lines and by extension how they should be said. We put in alot of time and were able to put on a very compelling and entertaining show that will be remembered by all who were apart of it for many years to come. To my castmates I extend my everlasting thanks and congratulations for a job well done and for making me look good on stage as Benedick. There is no way I could have done it without you all.
'Till we meet again,
Paul
