Ranging from David Garrick's Macbeth in the 1740s to the World Shakespeare Festival in London 2012, this is the first book to provide in-depth analysis of the history and practice of Shakespearean theatre reviewing. Reviewing Shakespeare describes the changing priorities and interpretative habits of theatre critics as they have both responded to and provoked innovations in Shakespearean performance culture over the last three centuries. It analyses the conditions theatrical, journalistic, social and personal in which Shakespearean reception has taken place, presenting original readings of the...

This study offers students and performers an expansive introduction to the rich history and exciting performance potential of Shakespeare's play. An extensive commentary focuses on the challenges to actors and directors in putting Richard III onstage and encourages the reader to engage imaginatively with Shakespeare's words. Separate chapters on stage, film, textual and critical history combine with the commentary to form a comprehensive and wide-ranging study of one of Shakespeare's most popular and theatrically thrilling plays.