Stage | The Guardian: Shakespeare’s Globe theatre on Wednesday announced its post-lockdown summer reopening plans, with a series of safety protocols in place – including no intervals.
The play’s the thing and not the glass of wine and dash to the toilet in the middle, theatregoers will realise.
3 comments:
This is actually surprisingly smart. I totally see how this could help with social distancing, because I am very familiar with the crazy bathroom rush and crowds during intermissions. I also like that they explain it as a coincidental way to be more accurate to Shakespeare's time. However, I think this would be painful for me. I always dehydrate before I see a play so I don't have to go to the play while the show is happening. I know that isn't healthy, but I've always been able to wait the hour to hour and a half until a break or after the show. Shakespeare's plays, though, as mentioned in the article, can be ridiculously long without making serious cuts. I am vehemently against missing any portion of a play or movie to use the bathroom, so this would be maddening. Overall, though, I am happy that London theater is trying once again to get back on its feet, and hopefully that means Broadway will soon.
I think it’s great that Shakespeare’s Globe theatre has decided to perform Shakespeare’s work without intervals. Like Jem mentioned, it is a great way to promote social distancing in the sense that there won’t be a massive crowd of people waiting in line at the bathroom during intermission. I also like the idea that because there are no intervals, it reduces the feeling of being stuck in your seat until intermission. Audience members are able to get up to use the restroom or get fresh air as needed, and if Shakespeare really wants you to know something, he'll definitely repeat it later on in the play. I also fully understand the point Michelle Terry made about there being a certain momentum that is built up during a Shakespeare play, as well as any theatrical production, that often feels wrong to just stop and try to pick back up again after a break that may oftentimes feel too long. I also think that performing a Shakespeare play without any intervals is definitely a tip of the hat to William Shakespeare himself. He wrote his plays without intervals so why not perform them without intervals.
This is a super interesting approach to dealing with social distancing in a live entertainment environment that I have not read about the entire year. The globe theater is making a really smart decision by deciding not to have intervals during any of the performances because I know firsthand that a large part of social distancing during a live event happens to be during intermission and the beginning of the show because of super crowded areas, such as bathrooms and concession stands.Do you think that may be concerning about this particular message is that a lot of patrons will have to hold in their body needs as there will not be any intermission. I agree though that at least London theatre is coming back and coming back strong. I do also agree with Vanessa’s point that William Shakespeare wrote the place without into rules so it makes sense not to perform them with intervals
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