Shopping Basket

Behind-The-Books Blog

Such Tweet Sorrow

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

I wonder what Shakespeare would think if he knew his most popular play had become a Twitter phenomenon? A cast of actors from the Royal Shakespeare Company have taken on the roles of Romeo and Juliet, their family and friends, and are acting out the Bard’s best-loved work live, in real-time, in modern Britain (apparently the upcoming election will even get a mention). Over the next five weeks, the greatest love story ever told will be recreated by today’s teenagers, using text-speak – not a thee or thou in sight – with each entry written in just 140 character or less.

It’s an innovative way of bringing Shakespeare to a new audience – rather than just reading it aloud in class as I used to – and I applaud the RSC’s initiative, but I can’t help feeling that a Juliet who signs herself off as ‘Jules is over and out!! xxx’ isn’t quite the romantic heroine I’ve come to know and love.

Check out their latest tweets at Such Tweet Sorrow or by logging on Twitter and following such_tweet.

Leave a Comment

  • Currently we are...

  • …Liking

    Lesley: This charming blog by a Penguin book collector, A Prenguin a Week.

  • …Reading

    Going Too Far, by Catherine Alliott. Susie: I rarely read 'girly' books but came across Alliott a few years ago. I've read 3 of her books thus far, and was delighted to spot this one for 30p in a charity shop. I've not opened it as yet but am hoping for another witty, grown-up, middle-class romcom, with lots of 4x4s and country houses!

  • …Tweeting