The RSC Shakespeare: The Complete Works

(Hardback, 2nd edition)

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Description

"The text of any Shakespeare play is a living negotiable entity: scholarship and theatre practice work together to keep the plays alive and vividly present." Greg Doran, RSC Artistic Director Emeritus Developed in partnership with the Royal Shakespeare Company, this Complete Works of William Shakespeare combines exemplary textual scholarship with beautiful design. Curated by expert editors Sir Jonathan Bate and Professor Eric Rasmussen, the text in this collection is based on the iconic 1623 First Folio: the first and original Complete Works lovingly assembled by Shakespeares fellow actors, and the version of Shakespeares text preferred by many actors and directors today. This stunning revised edition goes further to present Shakespeares plays as they were originally intended as living theatre to be enjoyed and performed on stage. Along with new colour photographs from a vibrant range of RSC productions, a new Stage Notes feature documenting the staging choices in 100 RSC productions showcases the myriad ways in which Shakespeares plays can be brought to life. Now featuring the entire range of Shakespeares plays, poems and sonnets, this edition is expanded to include both The Passionate Pilgrim and A Lovers Complaint. Along with Bates excellent general introduction and short essays, this collection includes a range of aids to the reader such as on-page notes explaining unfamiliar terms and key facts boxes providing plot summaries and additional helpful context. A Complete Works for the 21st century, this versatile and highly collectable edition will inspire students, theatre practitioners and lovers of Shakespeare everywhere.

Reviews

There may never be an absolutely definitive collection of Shakespeares plays, but this may be as close as we ever come. Clear, user-friendly and meticulous, this is the edition we all need. * David Tennant *
All of humanity in all of its complexity is contained within these plays, so much so that its hard to imagine that Shakespeare will ever be surpassed as the worlds greatest and most beloved playwright. Its therefore fitting to have this edition that displays his continuing relevance and resonances to his ongoing audience. * David Oyelowo *
This is a glorious edition of one of the worlds most important books. Its the essential reference book for anyone whos ever been in love, felt jealousy, fear, hatred or desire. All human life is here and every home should have one. * Dame Judi Dench, in praise of the first edition *
Timely, original, and beautifully conceived, the RSC edition makes Shakespeares extraordinary accomplishment more vivid than ever. * James Shapiro, Professor, Columbia University, in praise of the first edition *

Author Bio

Jonathan Bate is Foundation Professor of Environmental Humanities at Arizona State University, USA. Eric Rasmussen is a Professor and Chair of the English department at the University of Nevada, Reno, USA.