So many of us seem to carry a GCSE-induced Shakespeare-phobia with us when we leave school! Do you remember those long drowsy English lessons trying to get your head around early modern language and iambic pentameter? 

Unfortunately, this means that whenever we see a production of one of the old bard’s plays advertised, our reaction is often to be repelled rather than intrigued. Yet, going to see these plays can be an incredible, immersive, emotional experience if we give them a chance. After all, they were originally written not to be studied, but to entertain people!

With so many platforms offering free online Shakespeare performances for streaming in lockdown, now may be the perfect time to dip your toe in... 

TIP: PICK YOUR GENRE CAREFULLY

Thinking you’re going to enjoy every single one of Shakespeare’s plays is like believing you will love every film you ever see. In reality, some of us are partial to a rom-com while others would much prefer an explosive thriller. Choosing a play to watch is exactly the same process!

Have a look at the synopsis and genre carefully (a quick Google should clear this up if it’s not immediately obvious) then choose according to your usual film tastes. Personally, I love anything set in the past so a history play or Roman revenge tragedy is right up my street.

TIP: PLOT SUMMARIES ARE YOUR FRIEND

Okay, this is where watching a Shakespeare play is a bit different to films, in my own experience. Normally, we go out of our way to avoid spoilers. So why would you want to know the whole story from beginning to end before you even click ‘play’?

However, having a rough idea of what happens right from the start can help to avoid any confusion. I find it doesn’t detract from my experience at all, but makes it more immersive as I can easily follow the plot.  

Most of us know the vague outline of the stories anyway, at least for Shakespeare’s more famous plays. It’s not really possible to get spoilers for Romeo & Juliet, even if you’ve never seen it!

The summaries don’t have to be anything scholarly or fancy - Wikipedia and SparkNotes will do just fine!

TIP: BUDDY-WATCH

I think you’ll find that watching the plays performed makes them so much easier to understand than just reading. The body language of actors, as well as other performance elements such as music, scenery and props allows the stories to really come to life. 

Just in case, buddy-watching with a family member or housemate means that you’ve got someone to turn to and ask ‘wait, who was that guy again?’ 

TIP: GIVE YOURSELF AN ‘INTERVAL’

Shakespeare productions may be amazing entertainment value, but they’re not exactly ‘mindless’ either. When a play is recorded for streaming, they usually take out the interval because nobody wants to watch other people eat ice cream for twenty minutes. I’d still suggest that you take a break halfway to give your brain a rest. 

This break could be the usual 15-20 minutes, or even a whole day if you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed. Trust me, it will help you enjoy the second half so much more. Snacks are also recommended to recreate the authentic theatre experience!

And finally...enjoy!!!

Is your interest piqued? The National Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company are all offering free Shakespeare productions online at the moment!

*Note: these are national venues - if you have a smaller local theatre that would benefit from the support, make sure to check those out too. Also, if you enjoy a free streaming and are able to contribute a small donation, this will help to keep the theatre industry going in these challenging times.*

Written by Florence Edwards