To gender or not to gender : casting and characters for 21st century Shakespeare / Margaret J. Oakes.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Oakes, Margaret J., 1960- author.

Contributor:

Horace Howard Furness Memorial Library (University of Pennsylvania)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616--Stage history--1950-.

Shakespeare, William.

Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616--Dramatic production.

Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616--Characters.

Gender identity in the theater.

Theater--Casting.

Theater.

Physical Description:

vii, 255 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Other Title:

Casting and characters for twentyfirst century Shakespeare

Place of Publication:

Jefferson, North Carolina : McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, [2024]

Summary:

"Can Othello be a woman? Can Ophelia be a man? Why not? Intended for Shakespeare lovers, scholars, and Shakespearean theater professionals, this study explores ways in which gender is being reinterpreted by British and North American productions since the turn of the millennium. First discussing gender theory, including modern, individualistic identity, this book leads to deep shifts in thinking about sex, gender identity and expression, and sexuality seen in 21st century Shakespearean production casting, directing, and acting decisions. The inclusion of selected productions and characters such as Othello, Richard III, Ophelia, and Olivia encourage readers to make use of "category creation" to reinterpret these characters by rethinking gender. Covered productions are divided into three sections including those that "cross-sex" cast, those that "resex" a character, and those that leave open questions of gender considering how terms like "gender-blending," "gender-bending," or "gender-blind" are meaningful in 21st century Shakespeare"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

"And all the men and women merely players" : gender theory for the 21st century

"What a piece of work is a man" : gender theory at work in Shakespearean productions

"But man, proud man/dress'd in a little brief authority" : changing an actor's sex

"King Lear's days as a king may be numbered" : changing a character's sex

"Let me not play a woman. I have a beard coming" : gender fluidity

"Whate'er the course, the end is the renown" : concluding thoughts.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781476683539

1476683530

OCLC:

1433093677