How subject to interpretation is Shakespeare? The valid options his plays afford can seem infinite, yet they are not. This book comes fully to terms with Shakespeare's openness to interpretation while respecting the primacy of his creative presence. Hapgood sees Shakespeare the theatre-poet as making theatre not only by outlining an imaginary world, but also by providing guidelines for its enactment and reception, implying in each of his plays a distinctive rapport between the playwright, the actors, and the audience. Hapgood demonstrates that these guidelines may be found through study of...

From Burbage at the Globe to Branagh on film, this edition tells the story of Hamlet in production, relating stage interpretations to developments in the theater, in literary criticism and in society. This detailed stage history records an ongoing process of discovery, as successive performers have found what it is in the play that will speak most powerfully to the audiences of their own times. The introduction focuses not only on star Hamlets, but on whole productions of the play--including supporting players and, in this century, direction and design.

From Burbage at the Globe to Branagh on film, this edition tells the story of Hamlet in production, relating stage interpretations to developments in the theater, in literary criticism and in society. This detailed stage history records an ongoing process of discovery, as successive performers have found what it is in the play that will speak most powerfully to the audiences of their own times. The introduction focuses not only on star Hamlets, but on whole productions of the play--including supporting players and, in this century, direction and design.