RETIRED PROF HELPS
MAKE SENSE OF SHAKESPEARE posted
4/2/04
Al Misseldine is working with the script and actors
for ‘The Tempest,’ April 15-17
Al Misseldine taught English for 32
years at Adrian College. Now that he’s retired,
he’s still sharing his knowledge: as a sort of
“Shakespeare consultant” to the theatre
department.
The department will present “The
Tempest” April 15-17, and Misseldine is helping
to provide important insights into the script.
“I was born in England, in a
town about 20 miles from Stratford [Shakespeare’s
hometown],” Misseldine said. “So I’m
from the neighborhood.”
Misseldine’s job basically has
two steps. First, he creates an original version of
the script, editing out obscure passages and rewording
others.
“I make them more intelligible
to the modern ear,” he said.
Next, he attends rehearsals to coach
the actors.
“Mostly I help the students
understand what they’re saying, so they can say
it with conviction,” he said.
Adrian College theatre chair Michael
Allen, who is directing the play, says that Misseldine
is what makes Shakespeare unique at Adrian College.
“We produce a Shakespeare play
every other spring, and this is the sixth time we’ve
worked with Al,” Allen said. “He helps us
with literary allusions, sound sense, interpretation,
everything. It really makes a big difference.”
Misseldine taught at Adrian from 1964-1997,
and taught Shakespeare for many years. He is a resident
of Adrian.
The play is scheduled April 15-17
in the historic Downs Hall Theatre. Thursday and Friday
performances are at 8 p.m., and Saturday performances
are at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Ticket prices are $5 for the
general public and $3 for seniors.
“The Tempest” is one of
the most exotic of Shakespeare’s comedies. It
includes a magical island, a storm, a shipwreck, spirits,
monsters, young lovers, and
much more. The magician Prospero and his daughter, Miranda,
have been cruelly abandoned on the island for many years
when at last he has a chance to right the wrongs done
to them.
Downs Hall is located on Madison
Street on the Adrian College campus. For more information,
call the theatre department at 517-264-3922.
|
