In recent years, the 'Popular Shakespeare' phenomenon has become ever more pervasive: in fringe productions, mainstream theatre, or the mass media, Shakespeare is increasingly constructed as an authentic part of popular culture. A vivid account of Shakespeare in performance since the 1990s, this book examines what 'Shakespeare' means to us today.

Autorentext
Stephen Purcell is Assistant Professor of English at the University of Warwick, UK. He directs for the theatre company The Pantaloons.

Inhalt
Contents Preface Acknowledgements Personal Narrative I: Ambiguous Applause Popular Shakespeares Personal Narrative II: Stand-up Shakespeare Text and Metatext: Shakespeare and Anachronism Personal Narrative III: Jeffrey Archer: The One That Got Away 'A Play Extempore': Interpolation, Improvisation, and Unofficial Speech Personal Narrative IV: A Bit Sexist 'It's Like a Shakespeare Play!': Parodic Appropriations of Shakespeare Personal Narrative V: Blasphemy Shakespeare's Popular Audience: Reconstructions and Deconstructions Personal Narrative VI: Alternative Endings Shakespeare, Space, and the 'Popular' Personal Narrative VII: 'It's the Famous Bit!': Fragments of Romeo and Juliet Shakespearean 'Samples' Personal Narrative VIII: Rough Magic Notes Bibliography Index