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First published in 1609, “The Sonnets” of William Shakespeare are a collection of 154 loosely connected 14 line poems. Considered by many to be among some of the greatest love poetry ever written much debate surrounds the context of the poetry. It has been suggested that the work may be semi-autobiographical but no real evidence firmly supports this notion. The themes of the poems contained within this volume are varied and include such subjects as the passage of time, love, beauty, and mortality. Some scholars have interpreted the collection as a parody of the 300-year-old tradition of Petrarchan love sonnets. This analysis arises out of the fact that Shakespeare inverts conventional gender roles creating a more complex depiction of human love. Seen as a new type of love poetry when first written, “The Sonnets” largely languished in obscurity until the renewed interest in Shakespeare’s work which accompanied the Romantic literary movement of the 19th century. Regardless of Shakespeare’s intent behind the writing of “The Sonnets”, these poems can be appreciated individually or as a whole as examples of William Shakespeare’s true literary genius. This edition includes a preface and annotations by Henry N. Hudson, an introduction by Charles Harold Herford, and a biographical afterword.

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A tightly constructed drama which is regarded as one of the William Shakespeare’s finest; “Othello” is the story of its titular character, a Moorish general in the Venetian army. Othello secretly marries Desdemona, the daughter of Venetian senator Brabantio, who disapproves of the union. The marriage draws the contempt of Roderigo, a wealthy gentleman of low moral character who is in love with Desdemona and has asked her father for her hand in marriage. Iago is an ensign under the command of Othello who is angry for being passed over for promotion. Iago plots against Othello by convincing him that his wife is having an adulterous affair with Cassio, whom he has been passed over by for promotion. As the web of deceit is woven a series of tragic events begins to unfold for all those involved. Based upon a 16th century short story entitled “A Moorish Captain” by Italian novelist and poet Cinthio, “Othello,” masterfully dramatizes the tragic consequences that can arise from jealous deceit. This edition is annotated by Henry N. Hudson, includes an introduction by Charles Harold Herford, and a biographical afterword.

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The historical basis for “King Lear” comes from Geoffrey of Monmouth’s account of the legendary King Leir of the Britons recorded in the historian’s “History of the Kings of Briton.” King Lear is an elderly man and wishes to retire from power. In the decision to divide up his estate he requests that his daughters profess their feelings for him, vowing to give whomever loves him the most the largest share. His two eldest daughters Regan and Goneril go first and based on their responses are rewarded their respective portions. However when it is his youngest daughter Cordelia’s turn, she refuses to flatter her father as her older sisters have done, insisting that there are no words to describe her love. This enrages the King prompting him to disinherit Cordelia and split the remaining inheritance amongst the two eldest sisters instead. As the play progresses, the foolishness of this decision becomes evident, descending the King into madness. In its portrayal of the tragic effect of human weakness and cruelty, “King Lear” has come to be regarded as one of the most powerful of Shakespeare’s works. This edition is annotated by Henry N. Hudson and includes an introduction by Charles Harold Herford.

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Nick Newlin has broad experience marketing the Nicolo Whimsey Show to high school and library systems, and will incorporate The Thirty Minute Shakespeare into the Nicolo Whimsey website, mailings, school fairs, etc. We have purchased and successfully used theater mailing lists from MDR in the past, and will purchase new MDR lists aimed at the target users of The Thirty Minute Shakespeare for the initial launch, and annually or biannually thereafter. We expect that the abridgements will also be prominently cited by the Folger Shakespeare Library’s very active Folger Education program, recognized and used extensively by thousands of high school and college educators and including blogs, webinars, lesson plans, and conferences.There are other «cuttings» of Shakespeare plays, but the only series with any trade visibility is «Sixty Minute Shakespeare» by Cass Foster, with six plays published by Five Star Publications. Nick Newlin's «Thirty Minute Shakespeare» series is publishing 12 plays in 2010, all «road tested» at the Folger's annual Student Shakespeare Festival, and superior to the competition on many levels: better stage directions and performance notes, more professional page design, a competitive pricing structure, and better visibility in Bowker, Amazon, key wholesalers, etc.

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The Comedy of Errors: The 30-Minute Shakespeare offers five raucous scenes from this extravaganza of mistaken identity.The abridgement begins with a dramatic physical enactment of the twins’ separation at sea. The play continues with a series of foibles featuring Antipholus of Ephesus, Dromio of Ephesus, and their identical twin counterparts from Antipholus.Adriana and Luciana receive hysterically misguided attention from the twins. Emilia and Egeon as the long-lost parents, and the riotous conjurer Dr. Pinch round out the cast of characters in Shakespeare’s most uproarious comedy.The edition includes a preface by Nick Newlin containing helpful advice on how to put on a Shakespeare performance in a high school class with novice actors, as well as an appendix with suggestions for the specific play and recommendations for further resources.

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Love’s Labor’s Lost: The 30-Minute Shakespeare plays three action-packed scenes from this tale of King Navarre and his three lords, who have vowed to retire from women for three years. Naturally, the Princess of France and her three ladies arrive, and comedic courtship ensues.The cutting includes the ridiculous dance of the lords disguised as Russians, the hysterical “Pageant of the Nine Worthies,” and a dramatic, bittersweet ending that leaves the King and the three lords laboring for love.The edition includes a preface by Nick Newlin containing helpful advice on how to put on a Shakespeare performance in a high school class with novice actors, as well as an appendix with suggestions for the specific play and recommendations for further resources.

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Nick Newlin has broad experience marketing the Nicolo Whimsey Show to high school and library systems, and will incorporate The Thirty Minute Shakespeare into the Nicolo Whimsey website, mailings, school fairs, etc. We have purchased and successfully used theater mailing lists from MDR in the past, and will purchase new MDR lists aimed at the target users of The Thirty Minute Shakespeare for the initial launch, and annually or biannually thereafter. We expect that the abridgements will also be prominently cited by the Folger Shakespeare Library’s very active Folger Education program, recognized and used extensively by thousands of high school and college educators and including blogs, webinars, lesson plans, and conferences.There are other «cuttings» of Shakespeare plays, but the only series with any trade visibility is «Sixty Minute Shakespeare» by Cass Foster, with six plays published by Five Star Publications. Nick Newlin's «Thirty Minute Shakespeare» series is publishing 12 plays in 2010, all «road tested» at the Folger's annual Student Shakespeare Festival, and superior to the competition on many levels: better stage directions and performance notes, more professional page design, a competitive pricing structure, and better visibility in Bowker, Amazon, key wholesalers, etc.

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Planning a school or amateur Shakespeare production? The best way to experience the plays is to perform them, but getting started can be a challenge: The complete plays are too long and complex, while scene selections or simplified language are too limited."The 30-Minute Shakespeare" is a new series of abridgements that tell the “story” of each play from start to finish while keeping the beauty of Shakespeare’s language intact. Specific stage directions and character suggestions give even inexperienced actors the tools to perform Shakespeare with confidence, understanding, and fun!This cutting of THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR begins with one of Shakespeare's favorite fat knights, Sir John Falstaff, announcing his intention to woo both Mistress Ford and Mistress Page simultaneously, to the delight of his cohorts Bardolph, Pistol, and Nym, who then decide to double-cross Falstaff. The characters' movements on stage are clearly denoted so that even inexperienced actors can give the scenes life: Robin is nearsighted, Bardolph is a drunk who tries to juggle, and Pistol and Nym are constantly jostling for position. Other key moments include the hilarious wooing of Mistress Ford by Falstaff and the hysterical concealment of Falstaff in the laundry basket. The cutting ends in the woods with Falstaff dressed as a stag, being tormented by fairies for his comeuppance.The edition also includes an essay by editor Nick Newlin on how to produce a Shakespeare play with novice actors, and notes about the original production of this abridgement at the Folger Shakespeare Library's annual Student Shakespeare Festival.

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Planning a school or amateur Shakespeare production? The best way to experience the plays is to perform them, but getting started can be a challenge: The complete plays are too long and complex, while scene selections or simplified language are too limited."The 30-Minute Shakespeare" is a new series of abridgements that tell the “story” of each play from start to finish while keeping the beauty of Shakespeare’s language intact. Specific stage directions and character suggestions give even inexperienced actors the tools to perform Shakespeare with confidence, understanding, and fun!This cutting of TWELFTH NIGHT, Shakespeare's bittersweet comic masterpiece, consists of three classic scenes. After an extended introductory narration, the action begins with Feste the Fool consoling a mourning Lady Olivia with wit and wordplay. Viola (disguised as a male Cesario) woos Olivia on behalf of Duke Orsino, but Olivia falls for the messenger Viola/Cesario instead. The final scene in Olivia's kitchen gives young actors an easy and specific way to play late-night revelry, as Sir Toby Belch and his friends amuse themselves with the censorious but ultimately hapless Malvolio. One highlight of the production is a group «rap» version of the song «Come Away Death.»The edition also includes an essay by editor Nick Newlin on how to produce a Shakespeare play with novice actors, and notes about the original production of this abridgement at the Folger Shakespeare Library's annual Student Shakespeare Festival.

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There are other “cuttings” of Shakespeare plays, but these abridgements are unique in preserving Shakespeare’s original language, creating effective narrative bridges so that audiences can easily follow the story, and providing simple set designs and lively stage directions – all “road tested” at the Folger Shakespeare Library’s annual Student Shakespeare Festival. The publishing program is also superior to the competition, with more professional page design, a competitive pricing structure in three different formats, and better visibility in Bowker, Amazon, key wholesalers, etc. These first Thirty Minute Shakespeare plays will equal the number of abridgements published by any competitor, when the next eight plays are published in Fall 2010 we will have twice as many.

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