Shakespeare's 450th

[Lex]

The fireworks woke me up last night. Thanks a lot RSC.
http://www.stratford-herald.com/local-news/8077-fireworks-display-dazzles-crowds-for-shakespeare-s-birthday.html

[Lex]

Did anyone see the parade? I don't go - can't deal with the crowds!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-27160610

[Gladys]

If this bloke has his way, future children will read ' Adrian Mole ' instead of WS because apparently, today's youth can't relate to the Bard's stories! ' Romeo and Juliet' come to mind. That is a poignant sad love story as we know and one on which most soppy films/books is based. What ever next?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2620667/Ditch-Shakespeare-schools-children-Adrian-Mole-instead-Best-selling-author-claims-Bard-turns-youngsters-reading-relate-work.html

[rebbonk]

I wonder how his writings will compare to the longevity of the Bard?


Before becoming a full-time writer Mr Taylor was a police officer, motorcyclist and former rock band roadie turned Anglican vicar

Now, does that qualify him for suggesting the educational curriculum? - I think not!

[Margaret]

Years ago, I recall the old beautiful stories from Charles Lamb's Tales from Shakespeare, which is designed for small children.
Suitable plays/stories for children can be adapted, such as: As You Like It, Midsummer Night's Dream, Romeo & Juliet, Comedy of Errors, Henry IV, Twelfth Night, The Tempest, Pericles. Non of these plays are really violent.
All the History plays are good for slighty older children. I came into Shakespeare in my late 30's and loved all of the History plays.

So this man Taylor is talking rubbish, he shoud keep his trap shut.


.

[Lex]

Most people I know in Stratford avoid any kind of Shakespeare celebration like the plague~ http://stratfordobserver.co.uk/news/400th-anniversary-shakespeares-death-celebrations-start-street-party/

[rebbonk]

Most people I know in Stratford avoid any kind of Shakespeare celebration like the plague~ http://stratfordobserver.co.uk/news/400th-anniversary-shakespeares-death-celebrations-start-street-party/

I wonder why? LOL

[Lex]

Another small step to becoming a landlocked Blackpool....

[rebbonk]

Sadly Lex, it will happen. People are fixated by the little God of money and will do everything to wring the last penny out of a situation.

I'm not religious in any way, but I do sometimes wonder if by abandoning religion our society has lost something?

[Lex]

Could be, but I've always had a feeling that the Church (of all colours) is more about power & money than God (eg all those letters written in defence of the former bishop of Golucester that was reported in the news this morning).

[Lex]

Visitors to Stratford, please be aware:

1) Don't bother with New Place; you will find unimaginative concrete pavements in your own towns; save the petrol.

2) The school that owns Shakespeare's schoolroom are opening this attraction to raise money because the local council wouldn't let them sell their playing fields for development. (Don't let the school tell you they're short of cash, as they get £500,000+ a year from a local 'charity' on top of state funding).

3) Don't believe the arts are short of cash. The RSC has so much money floating around, they've bought large stakes in in at least 2 local hotels, the smaller of which is worth at least £1,000,000.

http://stratfordobserver.co.uk/news/stratford-avon-named-top-new-tourist-destination/

[Lex]

No, we don't want another b****y statue of Shakespeare: http://stratfordobserver.co.uk/news/shakespeare-statue-set-stratford-town-centre/

[rebbonk]

This bit lower down the page caught my eye...


* COUNCILLORS are also set to re-consider joining the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Why the change of heart?

[Lex]

Money, basically.

[rebbonk]

Ah, the little God of money raises His head again. :mad:

[Lex]

No doubt, several councillors see personal gain in it as well.

[rebbonk]

Of that I have no doubt: but sadly, it is usually difficult or impossible to prove. We have the same concerns this side of the boundary.

[Lex]

As proud as I am of my Brummie heritage, on this occasion I feel I have to tell Birmingham to 'Do One' on behalf of Stratford. Coventry & North Warwickshire might have a lot in common with Brum, but SoA won't take kindly to having to accommodate the city's overspill.

[rebbonk]

Cov, Nuneaton etc. have far more in common with Warwickshire than Birmingham. Why on earth Loopy Lucas and her merry men want to join Birmingham might just take a little while to become clear. Sadly, by the time that happens it will be far too late and the good folks from Coventry will have been sold down the river.