Long-read
The power of Shakespeare’s language
Want to read spiked ad-free? Become a spiked supporter.
From playing Celia in As You Like It to a famously gender-bending turn as Richard II, actress and director Fiona Shaw has long breathed life into some of Shakespeare’s most famous creations. But what is it like to speak those lines? How important is the rhythm of the language? And how reverent ought we to be towards his plays? Ella Whelan decided to find out…
Fiona Shaw is an actress and theatre and opera director. She won the Olivier Award for Best Actress for Electra (1990) and Machinal (1994). She played Kate in The Taming of the Shrew(1987) and Richard in Richard II (1995). And she played Petunia Dursley in the Harry Potter films and Marnie Stonebrook in True Blood.
This is what we're up against...
A media ecosystem dominated by a handful of billionaire owners, bad actors spreading disinformation online and the rich and powerful trying to stop us publishing stories. But we have you on our side. Supporters help to fund our journalism and those who choose All-access digital enjoy exclusive extras:
- Unlimited articles in our app and ad-free reading on all devices
- Exclusive newsletter and far fewer asks for support
- Full access to the Guardian Feast app
If you can, please support us on a monthly basis and make a big impact in support of open, independent journalism. Thank you.
Comments
Want to join the conversation?
Only spiked supporters and patrons, who donate regularly to us, can comment on our articles.