12 May 2009

Interview With Danny Sheie


Dr. Danny Scheie

Professor of Theater Arts at UC Santa Cruz

Your class is called “Shakespeare for Everyone.” Why is it called “For Everyone”?

            Well, we wanted this not to intimidate people from Shakespeare, specifically people who’s major’s do not focus on these works.  The point was to make Shakespeare fun and accessible to everybody.  If a student could make it into college, then Shakespeare should not be intimidating.

Why are the classics still relevant today?

            I don’t know…to me?  Because what is a classic.  When encountered at different points in life they reveal different things about yourself in time.  All art either becomes old and worn out or it becomes a classic.  Non-classics become boring after a while.  Everyone must answer questions about themselves as they read a classic.  Not everyone should read Shakespeare.  We all see the world through a lens.  Art is a lens to look at humanity and history, especially in dramas. 

What do you think is the most iconic of Shakespeare’s comedies?

               A Midsummer Nights Dream, I mean it has forests, fairies, a guy with an ass’s head.  Puck!  In front of the Folgers Library in Washington has a statue of Puck in front of it. 

 

 

 

What would you consider to be a “facelift” of a classic Shakespeare show?

            Well I think when producing Shakespeare as a play, if there is nothing new to say with the piece, or about it then don’t do it.  That’s not art, but archeology.  In 2009 if kids do Shakespeare they facelift it.  Theater is the now thing, people are face lifting by doing it today.  When thinking about putting on the shows, think what do I have to say about the show.  And why does play need to be done right now for you?  If you can’t answer this question, then don’t do the play. 

As a director, what are some techniques for modernizing classics?  Could you do it wrongly?

            I don’t think you can do it wrongly.  You can do it stupidly.  The biggest job of the director is to tell the story clearly as possible.  Old costumes mean nothing to me.  I try to find time periods that would work for Shakespeare.  The job is to tell the story clearly, so a stupid choice would be to make it more difficult to understand.

How do you feel about Julie Taymore’s “Titus Andronicus”?

            I think its great.  Not my favorite Shakespeare play on film.  But she did a great job visually.  Not too good on the story telling, but beautiful scenery.  Anthony Hopkins is an amazing actor.  Julie Taymore is a brilliant director.  When I saw Lion King, I thought, so many times, “never saw that done before”.

How do you feel about Shakespeare done without the classical text? 

            I think it’s a great idea.  I don’t think Shakespeare translate too great on film.  I feel that contempory speech is better for film. 

 

 

What’s the worst modern adaptation? 

               When they just shout the words “blah blah blah blah blah.”  I have a visceral bad reaction to old-fashioned Shakespeare.  I hate it when it’s precious, elegant and well spoken.  It says real art is for white ladies.  Love and taste if for white lady and more ladies.  I can’t stand merchant Ivory films, Kenneth Brannah films, aesthetic look’s for its own sake creeps me out.  Utah drama festival limits the costumes, and sets cannot be more modern than the renaissance era.

How do you feel about 12 Night?  What about the gender roles in the piece?

            Boys performed every play written; so gender was always on his mind, more obviously than any artist of today.  He was writing for a homo theater.  When people say, “If Shakespeare had the choice he would have cast women.” To which I say, “How the fuck would you know?”  In 12 Night you have a boy playing a girl.   Everyone knows it’s a dude, so there was no illusion of a vagina. 

What show would you facelift?

            I like obscure Shakespeare shows because then people don’t get so mad.  That’s what’s great about school; students don’t have prejudices, audience willing to follow what’s going on onstage.  Sound of Music.  You (Edgar) would play Gretle, I would be Maria, and Joe Weiss could play Mother Superior.  He could play his stand up base in the show.  Alma as Lisa, with a dress two sizes too small.  You guys (Zack and Allison) would play the youngest von Trapp children. 

      

1 comment:

  1. pssst! you got the sound of music names wrong. who is gertrude?
    von Trapp!

    other than that, very good. he has alot of good advice.

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