Viral Shakespeare: Performance in the Time of Pandemic

The Element explores how Shakespeare went viral during the pandemic, with archival recordings of productions influencing modes of spectatorship and viewing practices. It also documents two made-for-digital productions by Oxford-based Creation Theatre and Northern Irish Big Telly, which modeled new platform-specific ways of engaging with audiences and creating communities of viewing.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 75 pages
Publication date: 20 January 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The following is the rephrased text in 130% to 150% more words and formatted it and arranged in paragraphs with html tags:

The Element is a captivating first-person phenomenological history of watching productions of Shakespeare during the pandemic year of 2020. The first section delves into the remarkable phenomenon of Shakespeare's viral surge during the initial lockdown of 2020, exploring how the archival recordings of Shakespeare productions made freely available by theatres across Europe and North America impacted on modes of spectatorship and viewing practices. With a particular focus on the impact of binge-watching Hamlet in lockdown, the Element sheds light on the ways in which these recordings transformed the way individuals engaged with Shakespeare's works.

The second section of the Element documents two made-for-digital productions of Shakespeare by Oxford-based Creation Theatre and Northern Irish Big Telly, two companies that emerged as leaders in digital theatre during the pandemic. It investigates how their productions of The Tempest and Macbeth modeled new platform-specific ways of engaging with audiences and creating communities of viewing at a time when, in the UK, government policies were excluding most non-building-based theatre companies and freelancers from pandemic relief packages.

Through vivid descriptions and personal reflections, the Element offers a unique and immersive perspective on the impact of the pandemic on Shakespearean performances. It explores the ways in which the lockdowns and social distancing measures forced theatres to adapt and innovate, leading to the creation of digital platforms that allowed audiences to continue experiencing Shakespeare's plays in new and exciting ways. The Element also highlights the resilience and creativity of theatre artists, who found ways to adapt their performances and engage with audiences despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.

Overall, The Element is a must-read for anyone interested in Shakespeare, theatre, and the impact of technology on artistic expression. It provides a thought-provoking and insightful exploration of the ways in which the pandemic has shaped the future of Shakespearean performances and the role of digital technology in the arts.

Weight: 116g
Dimension: 126 x 179 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108947961
Edition number: New ed