Although we have returned to Austin, Texas, USA and are about to embark on a new ImprovEd Shakespeare season, the Global Hamlet episodes and stories keep coming. For instance, you haven’t heard about our adventure in India. In my opinion, Shakespeare is a good fit for India. In fact, a famous Bollywood director, Vishal Bhardwaj, turned Hamlet into a film called “Haider.” Presently, it’s available on Netflix. So, you should go watch it. However, we had our own unique experience sharing Shakespeare in Bangalore, or Bengaluru, with the Bangalore School of Speech and Drama, or BSSD. Of course, I think you should watch it, too. The Play’s the Thing – A Shakespeare Experience in Bangalore.
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CHAOS IS COME AGAIN
From Israel, we headed almost directly across the Middle East to land in New Delhi. Subsequently, our first introduction to India was riding in a car from New Delhi to Gurugram. Similarly, one’s first introduction to Shakespeare is like an American’s initial induction into India.
Straightaway, being thrown into India’s traffic is utter chaos. From all directions, there appear to be so many moving parts, and therefore, it feels like absolute confusion. Likewise, Shakespeare’s words seem pure pandemonium. At first, there are so many phrases, leaving you to think it a jumbled mess. Yet, soon you notice a pattern, a type of choreography if you will. Amongst all the disorder, the words, or people, balance each other out. Until you notice that they’re actually working in harmony and unison.
To put it another way, a friend of mine compared it to water. In other words, the stream of traffic in India reminds him of water. Correspondingly, Shakespeare’s words flow like a river. In both instances, all you can do is hang on for the ride.
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NOTHING ELSE BUT MAD
In a word, it takes a special educator to involve themselves with Global Hamlet. As I noted in previous posts, the nature of the beast is that I’m looking for participants with very little lead time. Thus, it was with great surprise that the Bangalore School of Speech and Drama responded with a week to spare! Moreover, they managed to get about a dozen of their students to come in for 2 1/2 hours for two evenings. And, get this, we’re hoping they can come to visit ImprovEd Shakespeare in Austin, Texas next year. Undoubtedly, it was an exceptional experience.
Furthermore, the organization is a family-run affair. Of course, this was of particular interest, especially seeing as how our Global Hamlet project is a family enterprise, as well.
Before the beginning of our tour, I often wondered if my game-based approach to Shakespeare would translate to other cultures. Luckily, it is human nature to play. In fact, I may go so far as to say that play is a universal language. Albeit, the things that different cultures find humorous, varies greatly. However, the qualities of frolic and fun have no language barrier. Indeed, freedom, creativity, imagination; everyone can relate to these. Thus, it was exciting to contribute game and exercise ideas for when the BSSD next encounters a Shakespeare play.
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GLOBAL HAMLET EPISODE 8.1: BENGALURU, INDIA
Here is a funny story. While English is a shared language between us, expressions are specific to locales. Consequently, the slang we might use in the US for a person exhibiting extreme changes in behavior differs in India. Similarly, one of the most important things about performing Shakespeare is that young people must be able to relate to it. Given these points, we couldn’t have the players using expressions which made no sense to them.
Therefore, “loony” became “deranged.” “Nutso” changed to “haywire.” Also, “bonkers” turned into “unstable.” Then, “unhinged” came to be “mad.” We’re not done yet, “unbalanced” morphed into “off his rocker.” Finally, “mental” was modified into “losing his marbles.”
I think you’ll agree that it works much better when young players use their own words.
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GLOBAL HAMLET EPISODE 8.2: BENGALURU, INDIA
From time to time, the number of players you have exceeds the number of characters in a scene. Of course, this has happened on multiple occasions with Global Hamlet. Shakespeare is in the public domain. Therefore, don’t be afraid to alter the characters to fit your needs.
In this instance, I had a very long scene for this episode. Therefore, it was easier to divide it into shorter sections, then create three parts to Episode 8.2. Instead of combining them into one long video, it made more sense to keep them as separate videos. Additionally, I’m always impressed by how much we accomplish in such a short amount of time. Hence, these three videos were made in about two hours.
A Balancing Act
First, King Claudius and Queen Gertrude meet with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. As one can see if they look at the original script, these lines are attributed differently. However, everyone should get a chance to speak. For that reason, I reallocated the script to make it more balanced.
More Players, More Roles
Second, after Rosencrantz and Guildenstern leave, Polonius enters. So, how did we include more people? In brief, I changed it to a new scene, which is a natural replacement for actors. Then, my favorite, Polonius, has a partner, Paulina. I must admit, turning Polonius into a pair is pretty entertaining. Moreover, literally having the other half be his “other half,” makes for an amusing back-and-forth.
Additionally, this is also an excellent opportunity to see how various players bring different attributes to their characters. Whereas you are previously familiar with a Shakespeare play, but it will always change based on whoever is performing it.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Aren’t Dead, Yet
Finally, Hamlet encounters Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Although this is not a scene that is typically in my abbreviated script for youth, however, it worked quite well for our needs. As can be seen, perhaps it deserves to be put back in! To sum it up, we had a lot of fun playing with this space, too.
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GLOBAL HAMLET EPISODE 8.3: BENGALURU, INDIA
Our first session together involved several games. In fact, this was the workshop portion, where we introduced BSSD to the ImprovEd Shakespeare approach to the Bard of Avon.
| Type: | Improvisation Game |
|---|---|
| Purpose: | Here is a great exercise to help dig deeper into a character. It involves quick thinking and excellent listening skills. Additionally, this game awakens the mind and body. |
| Preparation: | Divide into groups of three. |
| Procedure: | To begin, two players are talking about the third player. In essence, they are describing a character. The third player, aka Hamlet, waits offstage, but within hearing distance. |
Then, using what they’ve learned about Hamlet during scene study, and including some more creative choices, the two players list several attributes. The focus should be on physical traits which Hamlet can perform. Once Hamlet feels she has a grasp on the character, she enters while performing the attributes she overheard. After this, the scene is relatively short. Keep it going long enough to see the physicalizing of the behaviors. | |
| Side Coach: | First, “Try to keep the attributes as something that can be physicalized.” Next, “Hamlet can enter whenever she’s ready.” Last, “What other characteristics might Hamlet have based on his behavior in the script?” |
| Notes: | Conduct this exercise with any of the characters. Try, “Here Comes Ophelia” next. |
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WHERE TO NEXT?
From Shakespeare in Bangalore to Shakespeare in Australia. In the next Episode of Global Hamlet, we find ourselves in Melbourne, Australia during a medieval camp at Kryal Castle.
FEBRUARY 2019 SHAKESPEARE IN BANGALORE, INDIA
Enjoy our Gallery of photographs below, from The Play’s the Thing – A Shakespeare Experience in Bangalore.
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SHAKESPEARE FOR ALL
Working with Shakespeare in education frightens many. Because Shakespeare experts, including professionals, surround us. Escaping them is difficult. This can be intimidating. Thus, feelings of dread usually accompany the act of presenting, but moreover be introduced to, The Bard.
For this reason, ImprovEd Shakespeare is here to help. Founder and Director, Andee Kinzy, offers the layman’s approach to Shakespeare.
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SHAKESPEARE FOR TEACHERS AND DIRECTORS
If you’re an English teacher, a theatre director, or a well-trained Shakespeare advocate, here you will find inspiration, as well as techniques, for making our favorite bard fun for Kids. Accordingly, we present old, new and improved ideas for introducing Shakespeare to youth for the non-Shakespeare-academic. Among them, we include theatre games, improvisation, tips, tricks, plus activities for using Shakespeare in education.
SHAKESPEARE FOR KIDS
Since 2011, ImprovEd Shakespeare has been exploring The Bard with youth through theatrical performance. Our signature scripts are a mix of modern narration plus original Shakespeare verse. With a focus on the story, including an abbreviated script length, our productions entertain all ages. Moreover, our catalog goes beyond the oft-used Midsummer Night’s Dream, or Romeo and Juliet. And still, young people find much to their delight among many of Shakespeare’s works. Consider subscribing to our YouTube channel for family-friendly Shakespeare videos.
PERFORMANCES
Each fall and spring, ImprovEd Shakespeare develops a new production for live performance. In honor of the traditional Renaissance traveling troupe, during a period of a few weeks, we present Kid-friendly plays at various venues around town. Our Players, between 3rd-11th grade, gear themselves with playful, as well as engaging interpretations of works by the Bard of Avon. Suitable for all ages, each performance runs for about an hour.
Furthermore, these shows are always FREE. However, we gladly accept Donations! Additionally, visit ImprovEd Shakespeare, Shakespeare for Kids by Kids on Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter. And don’t forget to click on our BLOG for the stories behind these videos.
