Shakespeare for Readers' Theatre is a Readers' Theatre collection of three of Shakespeare's plays in abridged form. In this first book of the series, three of Shakespeare's most beloved plays are presented: Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, as well as Midsummer Night's Dream, and have been trimmed while keeping Shakespeare's beautiful language.


Hamlet can run more than four hours but this Hamlet will run less than 45 minutes while keeping most of the great lines. Not short enough? The book contains an even shorter version of Hamlet that should run less than 20 minutes. That is, each of the Shakespeare plays have two Readers' Theatre versions, the long version intended to run 45 minutes and the short version intended to run about 20 minutes.


Shakespeare for Readers' Theatre also includes an introduction to the each of the plays including probable original sources, first production dates, and important historical information. Further, each of the Readers' Theatre long versions have attached suggested director's notes. These notes include interpretations of the text, definitions, blocking suggestions, and character recommendations. The book is intended as an important practical resource for theatre practitioners, directors, and teachers.