Shakespeare in the Park... - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

tvp2003 · 07-31-2006, 10:31 AM

... is starting up again in August... anybody know what time you need to get there in order to get a good seat? I'm assuming you have to bring your own chair or picnic blanket... are umbrellas (for the sun) okay? Any tips or experiences to share?

V · 07-31-2006, 12:59 PM

I've got a tip. Don't even bother trying to win the contest for Flames tix. I won the contest once and never got a call from them. I tried calling a number of times, but I got nothing.

Take an umbrella if you don't mind sitting in the back. We always take a beach blanket and sit on that so we can sit nice and close. We usually show up half an hour early and get great spots to sit down. You probably don't have to come that early, though.

Flames89 · 07-31-2006, 03:04 PM

So is it worth it? The gf is in town, and thought about showing my "sensitive" side ... (oh, hockey season - where art thou?)

V · 07-31-2006, 03:07 PM

I've always enjoyed it. To each his own, I suppose.

RedMan12 · 07-31-2006, 04:17 PM

Shakspeare is the most overrated author in the history of literature. If he even wrote his own stuff.

Flames89 · 07-31-2006, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedMan12

Shakspeare is the most overrated author in the history of literature. If he even wrote his own stuff.

Could I ask why you have this opinion? What is it based on?

J pold · 07-31-2006, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedMan12

Shakspeare is the most overrated author in the history of literature. If he even wrote his own stuff.

Pretty Bold statement… of course I disagree, Shakespeare is brilliant IMO

Kybosh · 07-31-2006, 05:40 PM

First of all, I'm not the biggest fan of Shakespeare but to say he is the most overrated author in the history of literature is a bit of a stretch. He was a playwrite/producer first and foremost and gave the paying public what they wanted. I'm not here to debate that he wrote all the plays and sonnets that were attributed to him but the complete works of Shakespeare is an impressive thing to behold (it's MASSIVE). Plus, reading his plays rather than seeing them performed live loses much of the charm, as with any other playwrite.

RedMan12 · 07-31-2006, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flames89

Could I ask why you have this opinion? What is it based on?

It seems to me like he just rewrote old stories and turned them into plays. I never saw his plays live but being told by every highschool teacher that he is best thing since sliced bread and then reading his work for countless hours, I was less then impressed.

I just could not relate to his characters and the stories just never captured my imagination. I think he didn't write all his stories and just took credit for them.

Kybosh · 07-31-2006, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedMan12

It seems to me like he just rewrote old stories and turned them into plays.

Everyone does this to some extent. There are only a few basic stories available and it is inevitable that some sort of plagiarism will exist. Also, who's "old stories" was he rewriting? Some ancient greek playwrite such as Aeschylus or Sophocles or someone else altogether? If you don't like Shakespeare that's cool but it just sounds like you're trying to pass off some of your opinions as fact. Also, I've just noticed how this is straying further and further from the thread topic. . . my bad.

RedMan12 · 07-31-2006, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kybosh

Everyone does this to some extent. There are only a few basic stories available and it is inevitable that some sort of plagiarism will exist. Also, who's "old stories" was he rewriting? Some ancient greek playwrite such as Aeschylus or Sophocles or someone else altogether? If you don't like Shakespeare that's cool but it just sounds like you're trying to pass off some of your opinions as fact. Also, I've just noticed how this is straying further and further from the thread topic. . . my bad.

I am not trying to make it fact. It's my opinion. I remember reading Shakespeare got most of his ideas from old Greek tragedies and other such works. Also I remember learning lots of his plays were a collaberative effort and only William gets credit for the work. Just one of the reasons why I don't like him. Nothing wrong with that.

Actually I would like to see a play or two of his as I never have. Maybe it would help change my opinion. I just never liked him and feel that he is overrated. Thats all I am trying to say.

Daradon · 07-31-2006, 06:26 PM

You don't really need to go more than 20-30 mins in advance to get a good spot. Bring hats or umbrella if it's sunny, some water too, though they do sell refreshments if you are looking.

It's worth it, specially to support the acting students. It's not going to blow your mind or anything, but a nice day in the sunshine, entertainment for you, can't really beat it. It's a fun afternoon.

Kybosh · 07-31-2006, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedMan12

I am not trying to make it fact. It's my opinion. I remember reading Shakespeare got most of his ideas from old Greek tragedies and other such works. Also I remember learning lots of his plays were a collaberative effort and only William gets credit for the work. Just one of the reasons why I don't like him. Nothing wrong with that.

Actually I would like to see a play or two of his as I never have. Maybe it would help change my opinion. I just never liked him and feel that he is overrated. Thats all I am trying to say.

That's all fair. Like I said initially, reading a play is nothing compared to seeing it performed live (by a good group). You can get so much more from it when you see the character's facial expressions and movements. I'm with you man in that reading Shakespeare is sometimes torturous and that schools seem to spend too much time focused on Shakespeare. That being said, King Lear is pretty f'ing sweet.