Theatrical Adaptation

11-17-06 #11

I think that Looking for Richard, was very helpful in explaining what all went on in Richard III. I think that Al Pacino used the research and studies he did for the film well to help explain what is behind Richard III and to help convey just what it is about. The intertwining of the research and rehearsal and character analysis with the production helps to convey the story Shakespeare was telling. I really liked the way that Pacino went to London and did research on Richard and how the development of the character went into this film. He would discuss every act and what is going on and then go into what the characters are feeling and what they desire and want from each act; then in faded into the important parts of the play. I particularly enjoyed the cast read throughs in which they translated their lines into contemporary language to express what the character was feeling. I think that it is important to show things like this as to help comprehend what Shakespeare really means. I find it difficult to just pick up and read Shakespeare without perusing every line to find what it means. So seeing in preformed, rehearsed and researched really helps to decipher the meaning behind the words, to find out the intentions of the character by seeing it preformed live help me to understand what is going on. I think Looking for Richard is a very useful tool in helping to teach Shakespeare and helping people to respect and understand the beauty in his writing and to learn from it- and even to be able to apply to their lives. I think Pacino showed a new side of Shakespeare and why it is important to study and learn from; he conveyed the idea that life isn’t just about what we understand and know, but about delving deeper into what we don’t understand to grasp new concepts and better ourselves. His desire to understand Richard III shows us that we should yearn to understand and surround ourselves with new knowledge and a desire to discover new things about life and not just settle for what we already know.

posted by Ann @ 12:38 AM