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Much Ado About Something (2001)

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clip Ifs and buts

Original classification rating: G. This clip chosen to be G

Clip description

Narrator and filmmaker Mike Rubbo interviews Professor Andy Gurr, Director of Research at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. They discuss whether Shakespeare had the time to write the plays or not, as his life was extremely hectic. The only time he would have had was in the evenings, meaning he wrote mostly in taverns by candlelight.

Curator’s notes

by Pat Fiske

There are many ifs and buts in this film but some of the facts make the premise of the film sound very convincing. Some interviewees argue that Shakespeare could not have written the plays because he didn’t have the time as stated in this clip, but also that he didn’t have the education or knowledge of politics, places and foreign languages portrayed in the plays.

Some claim he was from modest means, his children were illiterate, and no books or manuscripts were mentioned in his will, which doesn’t make sense for a playwright of his stature. Even though Rubbo is swayed to the Marlowe camp, the documentary leaves it for viewers to decide what they think as no-one has proved anything conclusively.

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All materials on the site, including but not limited to text, video clips, audio clips, designs, logos, illustrations and still images, are protected by the Copyright Laws of Australia and international conventions.

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