These 12 popular plays of Shakespeare average 69% of the originals.
They are vacuumed of archaic and repetitive language, structured as thoughts and carefully noted.
They are not dumbed-down translations, but professionally condensed originals, ready to stage, and read.
I suggest teachers read and learn about teaching the acting of Shakespeare, then utilize these texts.
It is not about rhythm or chanting, but inner life and invention - like all acting. Listen to my monologues!
Kids have universally hated Shakespeare for the 50 years that I have been aware of his plays.
Stick with the unabridged garble and obscure punctuation and the kids will hate it forever.
Give them comprehensible, vacuumed texts, and a talented teacher can create treasured memories.
These memories do not vanish with time, but often remain poised on the tips of tongues for years.