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2 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Field project inches forward ... Weather or Not: Add a fifth season to the calendar — smoke ... FireMed membership a small price to pay ... Field project inches forward ... Weather or Not: Add a fifth season to the calendar — smoke ... FireMed membership a small price to pay ... OUR VIEW Our View: Of sound and fury Comment DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Oct. 20, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Oct. 20, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News The Oregon Shakespeare Festival's announcement that it has commissioned playwrights to render 39 of Shakespeare's plays into more modern English has predictably ignited a debate whose ferocity is perhaps exceeded only by the "who wrote Shakespeare" controversy. We advise deep breaths and calm thoughts. The festival's "Play On!" project will span three years and employ 36 playwrights, each paired with a dramaturg — a specialist in the history and context of plays — to rework some of the Bard's more antiquated language. There are more scripts than playwrights because one is tackling all three "Henry VI" plays. The project is funded by a generous grant from the Hitz Foundation of Palo Alto, so it will not affect the OSF budget. The resulting works will not be "watered down" or simplified, festival officials say — and many passages likely will be untouched. The plays will "absolutely not" replace Shakespeare at the festival, officials insist. OSF remains committed to its "Canon in a Decade" producing all the plays from 2016 to 2026, using the original texts. Other theaters will produce the works, however, and OSF will produce readings and workshops across the country — which can only increase the festival's reputation. Shakespeare inspires great devotion, and it is understandable that some view this project with alarm. But if the effort is a scholarly exercise intended to deepen our understanding of these venerable works, it's hard to see a downside. Shakespeare has endured for 400 years. We suspect he will survive this, too. DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Oct. 20, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501