[Laertes and Ophelia come in]
Laertes My things are on board, so I'll say goodbye. And sister, when there's a ship going to France, write to me.
Ophelia Of course.
Laertes And about Hamlet and his flirting, just look on it as a passing fancy, a young man's infatuation, nothing more.
Ophelia Are you sure?
Laertes Nothing more. As a man grows older, his horizons widen. Perhaps Hamlet really does love you now, and his intentions are honourable, but consider his position as a Prince. He is not free to choose like an ordinary citizen; the welfare and safety of the state depend on him. So if he says he loves you, you would be wise to believe it only so far as his circumstances and the people of Denmark allow. And consider how your reputation will suffer if you lose your heart to him, or your body! Watch out, dear sister! You can't be too careful. Even saints are not safe from slander. Spring buds can be blighted even before they open, so fear the worst. Youth is a passionate time!
Ophelia I will take your advice to heart. But don't be like a bad priest, brother, and show me the steep and difficult way to heaven while you follow the primrose path.

Although I've always been opposed to alternatives to the Shakespeare text, as a matter of principle that I thought was considered, this series has made me change my mind. The Inessential 'Hamlet' is clear, fast-moving, gripping and all without trying to copy Shakespeare. The language is modern and sharp; it tells the tale simply but without losing too much subtlety and gives an insight into the feelings and motivations of the characters while leaving the power of the poetry to Shakespeare himself. It would be a very good introduction to the play (which is almost never performed as the play that Shakespeare wrote, anyway.)
Jim Johnson

Just a note to say that I enjoyed the version of Hamlet immensely. It felt like I was reading a gripping story, one which I didn't know beforehand. It has given me the spirit of the play, and I now feel motivated to get hold of the original.
Philip Robinson

Hamlet's 'To be or not to be' soliloquy becomes "What should I do? Endure this anguish and torment, or simply end it all? If death is nothing more than sleep - an end to heartache and suffering - that's a prize worth praying for! [He sighs] To die, to sleep! But what if we should dream? Ah, there's the rub!" How many "modern" people do you know who say "There's the rub"? Still, this "Inessential Shakespeare" might be a huge help to those who, for one reason or another, struggle with the original.
Desmond Christy - The Guardian - January 30th 1999

[Lady Macbeth comes in. She is reading a letter from her husband, which he must have written after meeting the three witches]
Macbeth If we could be sure, when the murder was done, that that would be the end of the matter, we would be wise to do it quickly. If we could be certain of success here on earth, then we'd risk the consequences in the life to come. But in these cases we are forced to face judgement in this world, where our crimes return to plague us. Justice makes us put the poisoned cup to our own lips..... He has every reason to trust me: I am his cousin and his subject. Anyway, as his host I should shut the door against his murderer, not carry the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan has been such an honest, such a gentle king that his virtues will plead like angels against the horror of his death, and pity for him will drown the world in sorrow. It's only ambition that drives me on, ambition, which aims too high and then comes crashing down-- [Lady Macbeth comes in] Well?
Lady Macbeth He's almost finished supper. Why have you left the room?
Macbeth Has he asked for me?
Lady Macbeth You know he has!
Macbeth We won't go any further with this.....

A very warm thankyou for your splendid presentation of "The Inessential Shakespeare", it was most enjoyable. The consensus of opinion from U3A members is that your books should be required reading - and acting - for all schools, to foster a love of the bard. Many congratulations on your work so far, and long may it continue. I'd love to see one of your plays on peak-time television.
UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE, NOTTINGHAM

[Romeo is hiding in the garden. Juliet comes to the window]
Romeo What is that light? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun! Rise, lovely sun, and blot out the cold moon with your warmth and beauty.... [Juliet comes out onto the balcony] It is my lady. Oh, if only she knew she was my love.... She seems to be speaking - shall I answer? No, she is talking to the stars; they are asking her to shine in their place. But her eyes are so bright that the birds will think it is dawn, and start singing. Now she is leaning her cheek on her hand. Oh, how I wish I were a glove upon that hand, so that I could touch her cheek.
Juliet [She sighs] Oh!
Romeo Oh, speak again bright angel, up there in heaven!
Juliet [To herself] Romeo! Romeo! Oh, why are you called "Romeo"! Give up your family and your name! Or else say you love me, and I will give up mine.
Romeo [To himself] Shall I speak now?
Juliet [To herself] But it's only your name that's my enemy. You'd still be you, even if you were not a Montague. After all, what's in a name? A rose would smell as sweet, whatever we called it; and Romeo would be as perfect whatever his name. Get rid of your name, Romeo. Take me instead.
Romeo [To himself] I'll take you at your word. [Aloud] Call me your love, and you'll have given me a new name!

I got the class to read Act 1 Scene 3 in the "Inessential" version and then the "New Cambridge" by way of comparison. Most of the students preferred the former. Even the class teacher seemed quite impressed with the dramatic cogency of the "Inessential" text....... A valid way in to Shakespeare......
John Salway

"Rated highly by my teenage daughter!"
Mrs Wilma Ferguson

[Sir Toby, Sir Andrew and Fabian come in]
Sir Andrew No, I won't! I won't stay another minute.
Sir Toby But why, dear poison, why?
Sir Andrew Well, I saw your niece being nicer to the Count's servant than she's ever been to me. I saw it in the orchard.
Sir Toby Did she see you old boy?
Sir Andrew As plainly as I see you now!
Fabian That shows she loves you.
Sir Andrew Nonsense! You're making fun of me.
Fabian I'll prove it. [He winks at Sir Toby] She did it to annoy you, to - er - wake you up. You should have gone along, cracked a few good jokes, and made the young man look silly. Now you've missed your chance, and my lady won't take any notice of you - unless you do something brave, or clever.
Sir Andrew I'm not very clever, so I suppose I'd better do something b-b-brave.
Sir Toby That's right. You must challenge the youth to a duel, and wound him in eleven places. My niece will notice, and there you are! No woman can resist a brave man.
Fabian It's the only way, Sir Andrew.
Sir Andrew W-will either of you take a challenge to him for me?
Sir Toby You just go and write it! Threaten him! Cover the page with lies! Put acid in your ink if you have to. Go on, get to work.
Sir Andrew Where will I find you?
Sir Toby Don't worry, we'll come and fetch you. Off you go! [Sir Andrew goes out]

"A great asset as a means of telling the story in a sympathetic, racy way: excellent to read round a form, either with "non-literates" or as a foundation for a greater study of the actual text once the story is understood: it is, after all, a fairly complicated story."
HEAD OF DRAMA, VI FORM COLLEGE

"The humour in Twelfth Night.....has been retained in a delightful way.....the adaptation bubbles with life."
DRAMA TEACHER