Pronouncing Shakespeare by David Crystal

Pronouncing Shakespeare by David Crystal

How did Shakespeare's plays sound when they were originally performed? How can we know, and could the original pronunciation ever be recreated? For three days in June 2004 Shakespeare's Globe presented their production of Romeo and Juliet in original, Shakespearian pronunciation. In an unusual blend of autobiography, narrative, and academic content, reflecting the unique nature of the experience, this 2005 book by David Crystal recounts the first attempt in over 50 years to mount a full-length Shakespeare play in original pronunciation. Crystal begins by discussing the Globe theatre's approach to 'original practices', which has dealt with all aspects of Elizabethan stagecraft - except pronunciation. A large section is devoted to the nature of the Early Modern English sound system. There are reports of how the actors coped with the task of learning the pronunciation, how it affected their performances and how the audiences reacted.

'Crystal presents a clear and lively story that will engage and carry along even the most phonetically uninformed reader … a thoughtful and inspiring model' Around the Globe
'… an engaging, unbuttoned style … at its core is a masterclass in the rudiments of OP, a potentially dull topic that Crystal makes absorbing.' The Times Higher Education Supplement

David Crystal is one of the world's foremost authorities on language. An internationally renowned writer, journal editor, lecturer and broadcaster, he received an OBE in 1995 for his services to the study and teaching of the English language.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780521852135
ISBN 10	0521852137
Title	Pronouncing Shakespeare
Author	David Crystal
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Hardback
Publisher	Cambridge University Press
Year published	2005-04-21
Number of pages	208
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.