Shakespeare
Avignon : Cour h'honneur du Palais des papes
| I have commented many times on the fine
tradition maintained by France Télévision of broadcasting
regularly major theatrical works, live, either from a Paris theatre, or
from the provinces. Here we have an example from the summer festival 2010, at Avignon. The theatre is the open air one known as Le Cour d'honneur du Palais des papes, and the play, Shakespeare's Richard II. I am fascinated by Shakespeare in French. It amazes me that it works so well, given that neither the poetry nor the 16th century language can translate. However, in this fine translation by Frédéric Boyer, there is a real feeling of the Shakespearian style And the perfomance was wonderful. Denis Podalydès as Richard II. And of course the technicians of France Télévision give us perfect sound quality, despite the wind and the chirping of the crickets. So here is the whole the first act, giving both the English text for reference, and my transcription of the French. But start with the video, without the text. The diction is so clear, that you may not need the transcription at all |
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25-07-2010 Act I Extract 1 |
| (Right) click on the image for the video | |
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02-08-2010 Act I Extract 2
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10-08-2010 Act I Extract 3
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20-08-2010 Act I Extract 4
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