Document text
1 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 Herb Rothschild Jr.: A delicate project ... What do you make of the street people downtown? ... Ashland stalker gets time served and probation after guilty plea for sex abuse, assault ... Herb Rothschild Jr.: A delicate project ... What do you make of the street people downtown? ... Ashland stalker gets time served and probation after guilty plea for sex abuse, assault ... LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters to the Editor, Oct. 20 Comment DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Oct. 20, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Oct. 20, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Language is key to the Bard Hamlet with Benedict Cumberbatch was simulcast from the National Theater in London on Thursday night, and the Tinseltown Theater was packed with Shakespeare aficionados, I among them. During the 3½-hour play, we sat spellbound as the beautiful soliloquies were spoken exactly as we all knew them. I am sure all of us there in every age group anticipated each word because we have come to love them. The words filled our souls. There was no way — no way — that any playwright hired by OSF can ever render the lines more beautifully than the Bard himself. Harold Bloom reminds us that it is the plays of Shakespeare which is the western literary canon. More than simply the literary canon, they are the heart and soul of all that makes us human. To render them into the vernacular, no matter how clever the playwrights hired by OSF, is to betray all that the Oregon Shakespeare Festival has come to mean to the world. We are meant to grapple with the lines when we first encounter them, for the reward is great for those who have learned to love how beautiful the language is and to mouth them "trippingly on the tongue." Without the language of Shakespeare, the play itself, the plot, will be nothing, for he borrowed many a plot, and the plots alone are unsubstantial. It is a great pity that the Oregon Shakespeare Festival which has been top drawer all the way deems profit more important than quality and finally stoops to diminishing the experience of Shakespeare. I cannot be more sorry. Carol Sunahara Ashland 'Lunacy' was engaging Thursday evening we went to the debut performance of the new musical comedy Divine Lunacy by David Gabriel and Peter Quince, performed at Temple Emek Shalom Theater. The play was both funny and moving and got us thinking — and thinking. When we got out of the play we examined, argued and explored the play’s content for almost two hours. At breakfast the following day we talked about it as well as at lunch, and we are likely to continue. The issues, ideas, meanings, etc. are multitudinous and engrossing. The purpose of any kind of art is to engage the viewer. This play did that to a great extent. It is something to behold. This production is one of the reasons why Ashland is special. Maybe our windows need washing. Priscilla High, Sandra Granett and Jeffrey Granett Ashland Coverage disappointing I am disappointed in your coverage of the Democratic presidential debate. Your article under "Analysis: Democratic Debate" (Oct. 15) was really an analysis of Hillary Clinton's performance, giving the impression she is the only real contender. This is clearly not the case, as polls, social media and local yard signs will attest. There are two main contenders, Clinton and Bernie Sanders. Ignoring Sanders to this degree is effectively campaigning for Clinton. This is inappropriate for a newspaper, whose job is to report the news, not promote the editor or owner's favorite candidate. Your readers want balanced coverage of all the candidates in both parties. Stop campaigning and start reporting. Kimberly Wood Ashland 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