When I first started taking an interest in theatre on the Internet I searched the biggest index I could find for the word "Shakespeare", I was impressed that I received over 300 entries in response. But that was over 6 months ago and a recent repeat of my experiment turned up over 5300 pointers!
So what is this information and who is publishing it? I confess, I have yet to surf all the sites, indeed, I doubt I'll have the time, for each time I check the list it gets longer. This is one of the down sides of the Global Library, there's no universal index and, worse still, there's no helpful individual sitting behind a desk in reception who can point you in the right direction.
I had actually re-tried the experiment because of the recent launch of the official Shakespeare's Globe site on the Internet. There have been a number of unofficial sites giving information on the re-birth of this important venue, run by groups in Germany, North America and, over recent months, here in the UK. The new site however provides considerably more information, photos and opportunities than the second-hand offerings by others - it even provides the opportunity for you to dip into your pocket and support them!
The main Shakespeare resources on the net are copies of the plays and sonnets. While these are not very good versions for direct study they can prove immensely useful in certain circumstances. I've often connected to one of these services to use the search facilities to find a particular word or quote - this has solved many a puzzle, settled many an argument and provided many a piece of inspiration. The Shakespeare Globe site even offers you the opportunity to download a PC screensaver with thousands of quotes in, and if you're having a bad day why not check in to the Shakespeare Insult Server and pick up a suitably cutting line to bring down your opponents!
If you check out the excellent Cardiff Movie Database you can search for Shakespeare references in film, thus it was that I learned that the first Shakespearean film was the 1913 version of Hamlet starring John Forbes-Robinson whose later screen credits included Vampire Lovers and Vault of Horror. You can also search the Library of Congress TV and Film archive for references to Shakespeare, or his texts and even find a list of Star Trek episodes based on Shakespeare's plays. Come to think of it, I have also seen (but not read you understand), the Klingon Shakespeare Restoration Project.
But before you start thinking that the Internet has no serious material let me assure you that there are also many worthy discussion, studies and papers to be found too. While surfing around I have come across both modern and historic academic papers on Shakespeare and there is one mail-list on Shakespeare to which you have to submit a detailed CV and at least one research paper before even being considered as a member. No, I didn't join.
So far, I have only found one group doing live Shakespeare performances on the Internet. The Hamnet Players perform only occasionally but do so with all the style and drama that a keyboard, a text display and Internet Relay Chat can muster! Their most recent production was PcBeth and fortunately for those of us that missed it the programme and transcript are available on-line. The actors and audience were spread all over the world and I hope we shall see more performances of this nature in the future.
Coming off-line for a moment, work is underway on a 'Karaoke Shakespeare' which will allow you to take part in a virtual-production which you have cast and in which you can play one of the parts. This is technically challenging, but perhaps the biggest challenge will be convincing people it was worthwhile!
All the sites mentioned in this article can be found by connecting to http://www.uktw.co.uk and looking at the `Articles' page. If you don't have your own Internet connection then why not seek out one of the growing number of cyber-cafes and try it out over a coffee and some carrot cake.
[697 words - Copyright UK Theatre Web, UK. 1995]
To use this article please contact the UKTW - articles on any aspect of the Internet and the performing arts in the UK can be commissioned if required.
UK:-) [ Email
: UKTW Home ]
)-:TW [ Tel/Fax: +44 (0)1993 704 268 Address: P.O.Box
124, Witney, OX8 6WX, UK ]