Bard to basics

Published Monday 31 March 2008 at 10:45

As a historian, Shakespearean scholar and avid theatregoer, I take great exception to the RSC artist director Michael Boyd telling me, let alone Shakespeare, who should play parts in the Bards’ works (March 20, page 8). Shakespeare knew very well who should play Henry VI, Bottom, Oberon, Bianca, Titania, Rosaline, Warwick and Lady Percy. He envisaged white English/European characters for the obvious reason that his language - ie his playscript text - was unknown to black/ethnic players in 16th-century London. In Shakespeare’s Othello, the lead character is specifically described as a Moor, and a black actor is clearly written and described in the text, and the Moor’s language is written in accordance with the character type.

So, I ask Michael Boyd, by what right do you propose to tinker with Shakespeare’s play texts? Why put black/ethnic actors in parts which Shakespeare did not intend to be played by other than white Europeans? As the RSC artistic director he has a responsibility to protect Shakespeare and his literary heritage from dumbing down and political correctness. It seems he is unprepared to do so, however.

What next Mr Boyd? A black Falstaff and Mistress Quickly, a black Romeo - none to my knowledge in 16th-century Verona of the social-class likely to meet the wealthy merchant’s daughter, Juliet - or will he go for a black Henry VIII? Come on, Mr Boyd, RSC has sunk to pretty low-depths of artistic integrity already in trying to be inclusive and PC. Theatregoers have had enough of your shenanigins - get back to proper Shakespeare as the Bard intended his plays to be acted.

Dr Chris Knight

Crescent Drive

Orpington

Kent