On a linguistic level, most of the Porter’s speech is relatively obscure, and the actor might be encouraged simply to be as amusing as possible, even to ad-lib. In 1987, Declan Donnellan’s Cheek By Jowl production included a drunk and swearing female Porter, who made jokes about stockbrokers and the Minister for Health.
Stephen Noonan’s Porter in Gregory Doran’s 1999 RSC production provides an interesting example of an improvised Porter in what was clearly understood to be in the spirit of Shakespeare’s original. Taking as his point of departure that the Porter is really concerned with ‘some of all professions that go the primrose way to the everlasting bonfire,’ (2.3. 17-18).
Noonan surprised the audience member in the Swan Theatre by staring at them whilst sounding disconcertingly moder: ‘What are you?’ He no doubt expected replies such as ‘a teacher’, ‘a nurse’, ‘a student’. One night when asked ‘What are you?’ a red-faced man replied ‘embarrassed’. It brought the house down. Noonan’s equivocator also led him into a not unconvincing impersonation of Tony Blair: ‘I am totally and one hundred per cent committed to the idea of equivocation.’
Improvised versions of the scene assume that Shakespeare’s original clown actor would have probably ad-libbed his way through the scene anyway, and that the scene as we have it represents only one version of the event which happened to be recorded.
"If you're not doing what is written, exactly as it is written, you're doing something else." That was insightful? I give you an A in effort and F in execution of trying to critique this performance. Any young actors reading this shouldn't base their decision on what university to attend by a Youtube video of one students performance. P.S. Cornish College, your website, looks like its stuck in the 80's and the photos of your "proper training" theatrical performances look like a H.S.drama club.
This actor has broken the first cardinal rule in performing true classical work. You don't paraphrase Shakespeare. Never. It's really offensive. If you tried to use this performance for an audition at The RSC or Stratford, they would laugh you right out of the room. If your not doing what is written, exactly as it is written, you're doing something else. Any young actors reading this should look at Cornish College of the Arts for proper training. I would avoid BYU. A for effort. F in execution
On a linguistic level, most of the Porter’s speech is relatively obscure, and the actor might be encouraged simply to be as amusing as possible, even to ad-lib. In 1987, Declan Donnellan’s Cheek By Jowl production included a drunk and swearing female Porter, who made jokes about stockbrokers and the Minister for Health.
sethnehring 2 weeks ago
Stephen Noonan’s Porter in Gregory Doran’s 1999 RSC production provides an interesting example of an improvised Porter in what was clearly understood to be in the spirit of Shakespeare’s original. Taking as his point of departure that the Porter is really concerned with ‘some of all professions that go the primrose way to the everlasting bonfire,’ (2.3. 17-18).
sethnehring 2 weeks ago
Noonan surprised the audience member in the Swan Theatre by staring at them whilst sounding disconcertingly moder: ‘What are you?’ He no doubt expected replies such as ‘a teacher’, ‘a nurse’, ‘a student’. One night when asked ‘What are you?’ a red-faced man replied ‘embarrassed’. It brought the house down. Noonan’s equivocator also led him into a not unconvincing impersonation of Tony Blair: ‘I am totally and one hundred per cent committed to the idea of equivocation.’
sethnehring 2 weeks ago
Improvised versions of the scene assume that Shakespeare’s original clown actor would have probably ad-libbed his way through the scene anyway, and that the scene as we have it represents only one version of the event which happened to be recorded.
sethnehring 2 weeks ago
"If you're not doing what is written, exactly as it is written, you're doing something else." That was insightful? I give you an A in effort and F in execution of trying to critique this performance. Any young actors reading this shouldn't base their decision on what university to attend by a Youtube video of one students performance. P.S. Cornish College, your website, looks like its stuck in the 80's and the photos of your "proper training" theatrical performances look like a H.S.drama club.
MLNehring 2 weeks ago
This actor has broken the first cardinal rule in performing true classical work. You don't paraphrase Shakespeare. Never. It's really offensive. If you tried to use this performance for an audition at The RSC or Stratford, they would laugh you right out of the room. If your not doing what is written, exactly as it is written, you're doing something else. Any young actors reading this should look at Cornish College of the Arts for proper training. I would avoid BYU. A for effort. F in execution
teapotkettlekid 3 weeks ago
wow haha this is amazing! i want to see it live now lol this version is so great! lol he's really drunk xD
SuperSeaCucumber 11 months ago
Wow I'm using that monologue for an audition but I kinda have to make it dramatic. Wish I can do this virsion tho haha. Great stuff!
Hanginskeleton 11 months ago
hell yes!!! i've been looking for a good porter. thumbs up indeed!!!
MusicPhilosophy 1 year ago
wow. this deserves so much more views. Well done.
sniua6 1 year ago
this video really helps. ive to do a role play for my course and im playing the porter ;] thanks!
memyselfsquick 1 year ago
The best scene in the entire play.
ghbutler 1 year ago