Robyn Candyce
William Shakespeare as “the playwright” has been impacting countless numbers of people for centuries with his timeless tragedies, comedies and histories. His plays have transcended time – and have morphed with it – and even though if he were around to see what modern times have transformed his theatrical pieces into (in terms of theatre and film) he may not agree with every alteration one would assume, at least hope, that he would be flattered seeing the impact his scripts have had on the entertainment industry. The creative works which are inspired by him have jump started acting careers, they have been the playground for groundbreaking technical designs (production, costume, makeup), and they have inspired both youth and adults to go out and learn more about Shakespeare. His plays have been the foundations for films of all genres including – but not limited to – “Forbidden Planet” (1956, based on The Tempest), “The Lion King” (1994, based on Hamlet), “10 Things I Hate About You” (1999, based on Taming of the Shrew), “Romeo Must die” (2000, based on Romeo and Juliet), and “Warm Bodies” (2013, based on Romeo and Juliet).
Imagine a world without Shakespeare and you’re imagining a world without film as you know it today, so there is certainly a lot to thank the classic author for in terms of how his plays shaped the culture of the modern entertainment industry. However, what tends to get little public attention outside of English/literature classes are the author’s sonnets. Shakespeare wasn’t just a playwright, he was of course, also a poet, who wrote 154 sonnets that are known. While we, as a society, celebrate Shakespeare’s Comedies, Tragedies, and Histories, in our entertainment culture we very rarely celebrate his poetry on as large a scale. For the past 5 years, during the third week of April, Shakespeare expert Melinda Hall (“How Shakespeare Changed My Life”, “Cooties”) owner of Willful Pictures has produced the Shakespeare’s Birthday Sonnet Slam which she created to honor and celebrate Shakespeare using his poetry. The Slam takes place at the Naumburg Bandshell in New York City’s Central Park, and is designed to present a haven for Shakespeare fans of all ages and experience levels to come out and celebrate Shakespeare by reading one of the 154 sonnets out loud for the Central Park audience and passersby.
Interested in learning more about this event I met with Hall yesterday at a popular NYC café. We spoke about celebrities that stop by, how interested parties can become involved, and the Shakespeare quote “Hail Virgin.” To listen to our interview click the link below.
If you are interested in participating in the fundraising drive you can donate by following this link: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/5th-annual-shakespeare-s-birthday-sonnet-slam. For more information about the Slam you can visit: http://www.shakespearesonnetslam.com/.
The Shakespeare’s Birthday Sonnet Slam happens in New York City, in Central Park at the Naumburg Bandshell on Friday April 24th 2015, check-in at 12noon, start time 1PM. The event will happen rain or shine.
