College News

3 September 2004

Shakespeare, live in your living room

Kiernan Ryan, Professor of English at Royal Holloway and renowned Shakespeare scholar, will be providing an interactive commentary on Shakespeare's darkest comedy, Measure for Measure, which is being broadcast from The Globe this weekend.

During BBC4's special live transmission, Professor Ryan will trace the remarkably modern themes of this compelling play, which include sexual hypocrisy, justice and the surveillance of citizens by the state. The commentary will be accessible to digital viewers via the red button on their handset. BBC4 received praise when it aired its first ever live broadcast of a full-length Shakespeare play, Richard II, last September. With costumes, music and dance that stay true to the original productions at Shakespeare's Globe, this year's evening of live theatre promises to be even more enjoyable.

Measure for Measure tells the story of a Duke who disguises himself in order to spy on his deputy, Angelo. The latter's corruption is brought to the fore when Angelo, who is conducting a campaign in Venice against vice, condemns a young man to death for fathering an illegitimate child.

Internationally recognised as a leading Shakespeare scholar, Professor Ryan is the author of numerous critical works on Shakespeare, and has lectured on the subject worldwide, as well as contributing to arts programmes on Shakespeare on the BBC. He also designed and directs the thriving Shakespeare MA launched at Royal Holloway in 1998.

Measure for Measure: Live from The Globe
BBC4, Saturday 4 September 2004 7pm-10pm

ENDS

For further information contact Royal Holloway, University of London, Press Office:
Vicky Cousins
Assistant Press & Communications Officer
01784 414480, victoria.cousins@rhul.ac.uk

Christine Long
Press & PR Officer
01784 443967, christine.long@rhul.ac.uk

Editor's Notes

Offering a range of exclusive Shakespeare courses, the English Department at Royal Holloway is one of the most dynamic in the country, and was awarded a 5 rating in the latest Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) in 2001. The Department is also home to the prestigious National English Subject Centre, which drives innovation in the teaching of English in Higher Education throughout the UK. Visit www.rhul.ac.uk/English/ for further information.

The Department will be presenting its annual Teacher's Conference on 27 October 2004; speakers include Professor Terence Hawkes, author of Shakespeare in the Present and Joanna Laurens, award-winning RSC Writer-in-Residence. Contact the English Department on 01784 443215 or visit www.rhul.ac.uk/English/ for further information.