(activity #2 from “Performance Approaches to Shakespeare,” p. 20)
Purpose:
To identify similarities and differences among acting editions
Preparation:
Access to the same scene from three different acting editions (RSC, Arden, Norton, Penguin, etc.
Process:
1. This can be an individual or group process.
2. Summarize what is taking place in the scene.
3. Identify three differences among the three scenes including:
a. Word choices
b. Spelling
c. Capitalization
d. Placement of punctuation
e. Line numbers
f. Glosses and footnotes
4. Ask the following questions:
a. Are they the same, similar, or different? How?
b. Do these editorial choices seem to affect the meaning of the scene?
c. Can you tell if the editor seems to have an interpretive agenda?
Performance Approaches to Shakespeare 