Special Collections
Wonderful William Shakespeare
Description: All his literature in all its many versions!
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A Midsummer Night's Dream
by William Shakespeare and Carl Heap"...in the night, imagining some fear, How easy is a bush supposed a bear!"With all the dark undercurrents of the traditional fairytale, Shakespeare weaves farce, slapstick, romance and revelry to create what is perhaps his most joyous play. Primary Classics, produced by the National Theatre's Discover programme, aims to introduce children aged 7 to 11 to Shakespeare. This version of A Midsummer Night's Dream, adapted and originally directed by Carl Heap, preserves the core of Shakespeare's plot, retains the original langauge, yet is presented very much with the target age group in mind. Carl Heap's introduction will help readers, teachers and practitioners alike to imagine or produce their own version.
Macbeth
by William Shakespeare and Carl HeapWhat's done cannot be undone' Three weird sisters, an eerie prophecy and a lust for power start a spiral of betrayal which has disastrous consequences. Primary Classics, produced by the National Theatre's Discover programme, aims to introduce children aged 7 to 11 to Shakespeare. This version of Macbeth, adapted and originally directed by Carl Heap, preserves the core of Shakespeare's plot, retains the original langauge, yet is presented very much with the target age group in mind. Carl Heap's introduction will help readers, teachers and practitioners alike to imagine or produce their own version.
The Winter's Tale
by William Shakespeare and Edward Hall and Roger WarrenThe Winter’s Tale takes us on an extraordinary journey. King Leontes falls prey to an inexplicable jealousy of his wife Hermione; it causes her (apparent) death and the (actual) death of his young son Mamillius. Sixteen years of repentance, supervised by Paulina, lead to scenes of reunion and reconciliation — but without concealing the cost in human terms. This is a slightly shortened version of the text of The Winter’s Tale as printed in the First Folio of Shakespeare’s works (1623). The opening sequence, divided between various voices, and the first half of Scene Twelve, draw upon, and re-shape, the more extended versions of the original.
Twelfth Night
by William Shakespeare and Edward Hall and Roger WarrenTwelfth Night tells a twisted tale of mistaken identity, transformation and deception. With a man playing a girl disguised as a boy, illusion and reality are almost indistinguishable on Propeller’s island of Illyria. Dark and delightful, the play questions what happens when you fall in love with the wrong person, and the answer is both beautiful and bittersweet.
The Taming of the Shrew
by William Shakespeare and Edward Hall and Roger WarrenIn The Taming Of The Shrew two, disguised,competing suitors clamour for the hand ofbeautiful Bianca whilst gold-digging Petruchioagrees to wed her viciously ill-tempered sisterKate sight-unseen. The difference betweenmarrying for love and marrying for money,however, becomes increasingly diffi cult tojudge. This brash, brutal and darkly comic storypulls no punches.
Richard III
by William Shakespeare and Edward Hall and Roger WarrenRichard III brings the Wars of the Roses cycle of history plays to a close in bloody fashion. Arguably Shakespeare’s most villainous king, we watch in horror and delight as Richard murders his way to the throne, unable to resist his cruel wit and dark humour. This is a hugely entertaining and diabolical adventure that tells the story of one man’s journey to heaven, then back to hell.
A Midsummer Night's Dream
by William Shakespeare and Edward Hall and Roger WarrenOne of Shakespeare’s most original and eloquent plays, A Midsummer Night’s Dream brilliantly interweaves four contrasting groups of characters to present a many-sided view of love in all its aspects: its joys and sadness, its idealism and selfishness, its physical and spiritual elements. This performing edition was prepared for Propeller’s all-male company of twelve actors, at the Watermill Theatre, Newbury, and toured the West End in 2003. Propeller’s markedly contemporary approach to Shakespeare brought great success for Rose Rage, their version of the Henry VI plays, whichwon the TMA/Barclays Theatre Award for the best touring production of 2001.
Henry V
by William Shakespeare and Edward Hall and Roger WarrenHenry V dramatizes the legend of the heroic warrior-king who won the battle of Agincourt; but it also tells the more human story of a young king’s psychological journey, learning to deal with the political realities of Church and State. As increasing numbers of British servicemen and women are seeing active service, Propeller brings its own unique take on one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays.
The Comedy of Errors
by William Shakespeare and Edward Hall and Roger WarrenThe Comedy of Errors is a brilliant piece of theatrical mechanism, a story of mounting confusion involving two pairs of twins. But it also explores the relations between lovers and between husband and wife, and ends with the warmth and reconciliation of a multiple family reunion.
King Henry V
by Andrew Gurr and William ShakespeareFor this updated edition of Shakespeare's most celebrated war play, Professor Gurr has added a new section to his introduction which considers recent critical and stage interpretations, especially concentrating on the 'secret' versus 'official' readings of the play. An updated reading list completes the edition. For this updated edition of Shakespeare's most celebrated war play, Professor Gurr has added a new section to his introduction which considers recent critical and stage interpretations, especially concentrating on the 'secret' versus 'official' readings of the play. He analyses the play's double vision of Henry as both military hero and self-seeking individual. Professor Gurr shows how the patriotic declarations of the Chorus are contradicted by the play's action. The play's more controversial sequences are placed in the context of Elizabethan thought, in particular the studies of the laws and morality of war written in the years before Henry V. Also studied is the exceptional variety of language and dialect in the play. The appendices provide a comprehensive collection of source materials, while the stage history shows how subsequent centuries have received and adapted the play on the stage and in film. An updated reading list completes the edition.
Pericles (PDF)
by William Shakespeare and Suzanne GossettSuzanne Gossett offers a full and critical performance history, with an introduction showing how the play's performance history has paralled the criticism. It then gives an interpretation of this two-generation romance, with its successive male and female central characters, based on a reading 'through the family', and influenced by the feminist and new historicist criticism of the last two decades. The edition integrates cumulative research on Shakespeare's collaborative authorship and the transmission of the text without rewriting the play or ignoring years of emendations.
Oxford School Shakespeare
by William Shakespeare and Roma GillOxford School Shakespeare is an acclaimed edition especially designed for students, with accessible on-page notes and explanatory illustrations, clear background information, and rigorous but accessible scholarly credentials. In this edition of Othello, illustrations have been extended andupdated; the preliminary notes have been expanded; reading lists have been updated, and include websites; and the classroom notes have been brought in line with recent practice. Othello is a set text for 11-14 year olds in England and remains one of the most accessible and popular of Shakespeare'splays for secondary students the world over.
Oxford School Shakespeare
by Roma Gill and William ShakespeareOxford School Shakespeare is an acclaimed edition especially designed for students, with accessible on-page notes and explanatory illustrations, clear background information, and rigorous but accessible scholarly credentials. Julius Caesar is a popular text for study by secondary students the world over. This edition includes illustrations, preliminary notes, reading lists (including websites) and classroom notes.
Oxford School Shakespeare
by William Shakespeare and Roma GillOxford School Shakespeare is an acclaimed edition especially designed for students, with accessible on-page notes and explanatory illustrations, clear background information, and rigorous but accessible scholarly credentials. King Lear is a popular text for study by secondary students theworld over. This edition includes illustrations, preliminary notes, reading lists and classroom notes.
Oxford School Shakespeare
by Roma Gill and William Shakespeare'Much Ado About Nothing' is one of Shakespeare's greatest love stories and a comic tour de force. Exploring the eternal themes of love, jealousy and honour, it focuses on two pairs of very different lovers and their trials and tribulations en route to the altar. Claudio and Hero are in love and soon to be married. As they await the wedding, they decide to play a trick on their friends Beatrice and Benedick, two confirmed singletons who scorn marriage and enjoy nothing more than expressing their mutual disdain. Can they persuade Benedick that Beatrice is in love with him - and vice versa? Meanwhile, the evil Don Pedro plots to destroy Claudio and Hero's love.
Much Ado About Nothing (Oxford School Shakespeare) (PDF)
by Roma Gill and William Shakespeare'Much Ado About Nothing' is one of Shakespeare's greatest love stories and a comic tour de force. Exploring the eternal themes of love, jealousy and honour, it focuses on two pairs of very different lovers and their trials and tribulations en route to the altar. Claudio and Hero are in love and soon to be married. As they await the wedding, they decide to play a trick on their friends Beatrice and Benedick, two confirmed singletons who scorn marriage and enjoy nothing more than expressing their mutual disdain. Can they persuade Benedick that Beatrice is in love with him - and vice versa? Meanwhile, the evil Don Pedro plots to destroy Claudio and Hero's love. Oxford School Shakespeare is an acclaimed edition especially designed for students, with accessible on-page notes and explanatory illustrations, clear background information, and rigorous but accessible scholarly credentials. In this edition of Much Ado About Nothing, illustrations have been extended and updated; the preliminary notes have been expanded; reading lists have been updated, and include websites; and the classroom notes have been brought in line with recent practice. Much Ado About Nothing is a set text for 11-14 year olds in England beginning academic year September 04, first testing May 05, and remains an accessible and popular play for secondary students the world over.
Julius Caesar (PDF)
by William Shakespeare and Roma GillThe Oxford School Shakespeare has become the preferred introduction to the literary legacy of the greatest playwright in the English language. This exclusive collection of the Bard's best works has been designed specifically for readers new to Shakespeare's rich literary legacy. Each play is presented complete and unabridged, in large print. Every book is well illustrated, and starts with a commentary and character summary. Scene synopses and character summaries clarify confusing plots, while incisive essays explore the historical context and Shakespeare's sources. Each book ends with a complete list of Shakespeare's plays and a brief chronology of the Bard's life. The detailed explanatory notes are written clearly and positioned right next to the text--no more squinting at microscopic footnotes or flipping pages back and forth in search of endnotes! The new edition of the series features new covers and new illustrations, including both new drawings and photos from recent productions of Shakespeare's plays around the globe. In addition, the notes and the introductory material have been completely revised in line with new research and in order to make them clearer and more accessible. Finally, the entire text has been redesigned and reset to enhance readability. The new edition achieves the feat of unprecedented clarity of presentation without any cuts to the original text or the detailed explanations.
Hamlet
by William Shakespeare and Roma GillHamlet, in the popular Oxford School Shakespeare series, updated with a fresh new look. Hamlet is one of the most popular texts for study by secondary students the world over. This edition includes illustrations, preliminary notes, reading lists (including websites) and classroom notes.
The Tempest (PDF)
by William Shakespeare and Rex GibsonThis new edition of The Tempest is part of the established Cambridge School Shakespeare series and has been substantially updated with new and revised activities throughout. Remaining faithful to the series' active approach it treats the play as a script to be acted, explored and enjoyed. As well as the complete script of The Tempest, you will find a variety of classroom-tested activities, an eight-page colour section and an enlarged selection of notes including information on characters, performance, history and language.
The Tempest (PDF)
by Rex Gibson and William ShakespeareAn active approach to classroom Shakespeare enables students to inhabit Shakespeare's imaginative world in accessible and creative ways. Students are encouraged to share Shakespeare's love of language, interest in character and sense of theatre.
Romeo and Juliet (Cambridge School Shakespeare) (PDF)
by Rex Gibson and William ShakespeareThis new edition of Romeo and Juliet is part of the established Cambridge School Shakespeare series and has been substantially updated with new and revised activities throughout. Remaining faithful to the series' active approach it treats the play as a script to be acted, explored and enjoyed. As well as the complete script of Romeo and Juliet, you will find a variety of classroom-tested activities, an eight-page colour section and an enlarged selection of notes including information on characters, performance, history and language.
Romeo and Juliet (Cambridge School Shakespeare)
by Rex Gibson and William ShakespeareThis new edition of Romeo and Juliet is part of the established Cambridge School Shakespeare series and has been substantially updated with new and revised activities throughout. Remaining faithful to the series' active approach it treats the play as a script to be acted, explored and enjoyed. As well as the complete script of Romeo and Juliet, you will find a variety of classroom-tested activities, an eight-page colour section and an enlarged selection of notes including information on characters, performance, history and language.
Macbeth (Cambridge School Shakespeare) (1st edition) (PDF)
by Rex Gibson and William ShakespeareA new look at Shakespeare's play in accordance with the work of the Shakespeare and Schools Project, the National Curriculum for English, developments at GCSE and A-level, and the probable development of English and Drama throughout the 1990s. Cambridge School Shakespeare considers the play as theatre and the text as script, enabling pupils to inhabit the imaginative world of the play in an accessible, meaningful and creative way. Cambridge School Shakespeare approaches the plays in a new way, encouraging students to participate actively in examining them, to work in groups as well as individually, to treat each play as a script to be re-created, and to explore the theatrical/dramatic qualities of the text. The editorial comments cater for pupils of all ages and abilities, providing clear, helpful guidelines for school study. The format of the plays is also designed to help all teachers, whether experienced or inexperienced. Please note: This title is also available to purchase or loan in hard copy Uncontracted and Contracted Unified English Braille. Please contact the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 to buy through our Braille on Demand service or loan through our Library.
Hamlet (Cambridge School Shakespeare) (PDF)
by Rex Gibson and William ShakespeareAn active approach to classroom Shakespeare enables students to inhabit Shakespeare's imaginative world in accessible and creative ways. Students are encouraged to share Shakespeare's love of language, interest in character and sense of theatre. Extended glossaries are aligned with the play text for easy reference. Expanded endnotes include extensive essay-writing guidance for 'Hamlet' and Shakespeare.nbsp;
Cambridge School Shakespeare
by Rex Gibson and William ShakespeareThis edition of Macbeth is part of the Cambridge School Shakespeare series established by Rex Gibson. Remaining faithful to the series' active approach it treats the play as a script to be acted, explored and enjoyed. As well as the complete script of the play, you will find a variety of classroom-tested activities, an eight-page colour section and a selection of notes including information on characters, performance, history and language.