For readers of the Mudskipper Blog who have not read my previous post, I should explain that my New Year’s Resolution is to watch all of Shakespeare’s plays in performance.  And, one month in, I am pleased to report: so far, so good.

I can tick off on my credit list, The Merchant of Venice, King John and Henry VIII.  A rather eclectic trio but, IMHO, all the better for that.  No obvious heavyweight; I’d suggest even a couple of relative obscurities.

Still committed?  Absolutely.  Enjoying it?  Unreservedly, yes.  Actually, positively looking forward to every Wednesday evening fortnight, which has unofficially become designated as Shakespeare Night.

Favourite?  Early to talk of favourites, when I am still only three plays into thirty-seven but, perhaps surprisingly, King John: “Grief fills the room up of my absent child, lies in his bed, walks up and down with me, puts on his pretty looks, repeats his words, remembers me of his gracious parts, stuffs out his vacant garments with his form.”  Top drawer.

And, what next?

By a strange conjunction of the heavens, Titus Andronicus has fallen on Valentine’s Day.  Not perhaps the most romantic of stories, but I approach the play with an open mind.  Although?  Fourteen deaths.  It is a bloodbath to make the Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre of seven gangsters in Chicago in 1929 look like a PG rating.

So, not the most promising date-night fare.  And few first date tips to be gleaned from Titus himself given his choice of recipe when it comes to entertaining Tamora.

© Fergus Longfellow

Fergus Longfellow is counting off his Shakespeares.