The BBC Shakespeare Plays: Making the Televised Canon

Library Journal

The story behind the seven-year BBC project to create television versions of all 37 of Shakespeare's plays is potentially an engrossing and fascinating tale. Unfortunately, this is not it. The elements are here, and Willis does shine in certain chapters--especially those on the series' three most prolific directors: Jonathan Miller, Elijah Moshinsky, and Jane Howell--but others plod. There are so many names tossed around that one loses track of characters, actors, production people, directors, and critics (an appendix of full cast and crew for each play would have been helpful). Willis assumes a familiarity with Shakespeare that few readers have; even scholars might not recognize scenes from Henry VI, Part 2 cited solely by act and scene number. Likewise, familiarity with various modes of television production is not a requisite, but would make reading easier. For very large Shakespeare or television collections.-- Keith R.A. DeCandido, ``Library Journal''

Booknews

Between 1978 and 1985, the BBC televised the entire Shakespeare canon of 37 plays. Willis (English, Auburn U.), who observed the making of a number of these television plays, presents a history and analysis of the BBC series as well as an eyewitness account of the productions, from planning and rehearsal to taping and editing. Paper edition (unseen), $12.95. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)