Hey Roger, Shakespeare's "quality" is tested every time he's attempted
by a theatre company. He gets tested considerably more than most
poets: theatre puts language under a lot of pressure. And while there
are museum productions - I've seen my share - he inspires enough
brilliant (a great deal of it innovative) work to suggest that there's
something going on. But I'm repeating myself.
You are perfectly free to dislike his work if you wish. There's
nothing compulsory in culture. What I don't get is the idea that Mr S
oppresses new work. Beckett, say, is unimaginable without him.
But blah. It's late, I've just seen an awful piece of contemporary
dance theatre which makes me think fondly of Mr S, and I'm going to
bed.
A
Editor, Masthead: http://www.masthead.net.au
Blog: http://theatrenotes.blogspot.com
Home page: http://www.alisoncroggon.com
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