SURREY — The Shakespeare saga continues. Bill the Bard is still stirring up the Englishspoken world nearly 400 years after his death. No doubt the works attributed to Shakespeare have had a profound effect on our language and on theatre itself. After all these years, does it really matter who wrote what? I mean, it's not like royalties are involved. The important thing is that this body of work exists and is still affecting our lives today.
After last week's column, I received an email from an Alan Tarica, who sent me a link to an article he had written regarding the Shakespeare controversy. It is all very fascinating. Tarica describes his two-decade effort as a series of "little epiphanies."
For those with a curiosity about Elizabethan literature and the origins of Shakespeare's writings, Tarica's website is a treasure trove of information and discovery. It will take some dedication to the subject to wade through it all, but hey — it is an educational opportunity and might challenge your concepts.
As Tarica puts it, "I've illustrated to so many they are left with the choice of deciding if I've written an incredible conspiracy theory, with an amazingly rich historical and political back-story and all utilizing Shakespeare's very own completely unadulterated words, versus the notion that virtually every Englishspeaking university is teaching complete nonsense as if it was incontrovertible fact."
As Tarica sees it, "the project is not finished in the least. I don't think a project like this can ever be finished." He attributes some of the sonnets to the illegitimate child of Queen Elizabeth I. Start the discussion now; I told you it is an intricate and involved theory.
So, now we not only have a "who wrote Shakespeare" challenge, but "what is being taught in university courses" challenge. Did this actor/playwright ever envision the future? Did he care? Was he just an actor who had to write his own script so he had an acting role? Hey, it isn't unknown! And today, people are "rewriting" Shakespeare just because.
Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield created "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged." This wild and wacky tribute features all 37 of Shakespeare's plays in only 97 minutes.
Whether you love or hate Shakespeare, this fast-paced and very witty production has always been a hit, no matter where it is performed.
A three-actor version of the show was to be staged at White Rock's Coast Capital Playhouse this month, but the dates have been cancelled. For details, call 604-536-7535 or visit Whiterockplayers.ca, or see story here.
Beach House Theatre still has some tickets available for Shakespeare's "The Comedy of Errors" — the real thing, not abridged. This is the third season for Beach House, and it seems people do enjoy watching a 400-year-old play in a tent at Blackie's Spit. Check out the website, purchase tickets online; go to Beachousetheatre. org/tickets. Limited performances, don't miss out. It's Shakespeare!
OK, so this next item of interest is not related to Shakespeare: The Arts Club's Red Rock Diner has an extended run on its Granville Island Stage. It was originally scheduled to be closed already, but rock 'n' roll genre seems to be just as popular as Shakespeare. This is an energetic production filled with music from the 1950s, with a lot of local history and flavour. Red Rock Diner is now playing until Aug. 23 - that's 24 more performance! Tickets start at $29 and are available at Artsclub.com.
You just never know what you might discover in live theatre performances - perhaps the mysteries of the universe or the answer to "who wrote the sonnets." Or just enjoy.