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Exploring Shakespeare
Hamlet, Macbeth and A Midsummer Night's Dream
For Teachers
Home | A Midsummer Night's Dream: In rehearsal | Actor's approach

In rehearsal

Ways in
Ways of speaking
Putting a scene together
Status choices
Choosing a mood

Actor's approach

Who's this? Jonathan Slinger plays Puck.

Context: Puck makes a connection between the human and fairy worlds and can flit between the two. He can stand apart from the action almost as a commentator. In order to play the part, however, the actor needs to find a reality for the character and develop stage relationships.

Jonathan Slinger's choices made this a 'cool' Puck. Although able to work magic, his delivery was naturalistic and he seemed worldly-wise. He showed a need for attention from Oberon but was prepared to dismiss the audience with a shrug.

What do you think? Should Puck be a sympathetic character? Or quite able to be wicked?

Ways in

Getting started
Actor's approach
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