Member-only story

Shakespeare in the Theatre: Peter Sellars' Revolutionary Approach

Michael Chabon

·6.6k Followers· Follow

Published in Shakespeare In The Theatre: Peter Sellars

4 min read

537 View Claps

82 Respond

Save

Listen

Peter Sellars is one of the most innovative and influential theatre directors working today. His work is characterized by its radical re-imagining of classical texts, its use of non-traditional casting, and its commitment to social and political engagement. Sellars has directed many of Shakespeare's plays, and his productions have been praised for their originality, their relevance to contemporary issues, and their ability to connect with audiences on a deep level.

Sellars' Approach to Shakespeare

Sellars' approach to Shakespeare is both deeply reverent and profoundly iconoclastic. He believes that Shakespeare's plays are timeless classics that speak to the human condition in all its complexity, but he also believes that they must be constantly re-interpreted and re-imagined in order to remain relevant to contemporary audiences.

Shakespeare in the Theatre: Peter Sellars

by Apple Trading and Company

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5184 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	192 pages

Sellars is not afraid to challenge traditional interpretations of Shakespeare's plays. In his 1988 production of King Lear, for example, he cast African American actor James Earl Jones in the title role. This casting choice was controversial at the time, but it ultimately helped to deepen the play's exploration of race, power, and the nature of evil.

Sellars is also not afraid to use non-traditional staging techniques in his Shakespeare productions. In his 1999 production of Antony and Cleopatra, for example, he used a thrust stage that extended into the audience, creating a sense of intimacy and immediacy. He also used video projections to create a visually stunning backdrop for the action.

Sellars' Commitment to Social and Political Engagement

Sellars believes that theatre has a social and political purpose. He uses his productions to explore important issues such as race, gender, class, and war. He also uses his work to challenge the status quo and to promote social change.

Sellars' commitment to social and political engagement is evident in all of his work, but it is particularly apparent in his Shakespeare productions. In his 2006 production of Macbeth, for example, he set the play in a post-9/11 world and used it to explore the dangers of fear, paranoia, and violence.

Sellars' Impact on Theatre

Sellars has had a profound impact on theatre. He has helped to revolutionize the way that Shakespeare's plays are performed and interpreted. He has also inspired a new generation of theatre makers to explore the social and political potential of theatre.

Sellars is a visionary director who is not afraid to take risks. His work is often challenging, but it is always thought-provoking and inspiring. He is one of the most important theatre directors of our time, and his work will continue to influence the way that Shakespeare is performed and interpreted for generations to come.

Peter Sellars is a revolutionary theatre director who has had a profound impact on the way that Shakespeare's plays are performed and interpreted. His work is characterized by its originality, its relevance to contemporary issues, and its commitment to social and political engagement. Sellars is a visionary director who is not afraid to take risks, and his work will continue to influence the way that Shakespeare is performed and interpreted for generations to come.

Shakespeare in the Theatre: Peter Sellars

by Apple Trading and Company

4 out of 5