Performance pairs original Shakespeare scenes with later adaptations

10:02 a.m., Nov. 3, 2014--Scenes from Shakespeare's most famous plays will be performed alongside adaptations written during the Restoration period and the 18th century in a special program called "Shakespeare Restor'd."

Presented by the University of Delaware Department of English and the Resident Ensemble Players, the performance is scheduled at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 8, in Bayard Sharp Hall on the Newark campus.

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The performance is free but seating is limited. Those wishing to attend must email mmcderby@udel.edu and include your name and the number of tickets desired. If demand for the Saturday performance exceeds the seating capacity, an audience will be welcome to attend the dress rehearsal at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 6, also in Bayard Sharp Hall.

Among the scenes featured in "Shakespeare Restor'd" are the original tragic final scene from King Lear, paired with the 1681 adaptation, in which the play ends happily. A 1699 adaptation of Richard III made the famous villain even more despicable. A revised version of Romeo and Juliet changed Romeo's name to Marius.  

The script was compiled by graduate students in the Department of English, and it is being produced by the Resident Ensemble Players. This special production has been made possible thanks to the Kenneth Reckford and Charlotte Orth (English, ’64) Fund, a generous gift to the Department of English for the purposes of celebrating Shakespeare for the benefit of the campus community.

The production coincides with the annual meeting of the East Central American Society for 18th-Century Studies (EC/ASECS), a conference that brings together leading faculty and graduate students in 18th century studies. There will be a performance on Nov. 7 for visiting faculty and graduate students who are attending the EC/ASECS annual meeting.