Did Shakespeare Stage Direct All of His Own Plays?

Introduction

When discussing the theatrical works of William Shakespeare, one often wonders about his role in the production of his plays. Although the term 'directing' was not commonly used during the Elizabethan era, Shakespeare was indeed involved in the stage direction of his plays. This article explores the various facets of Shakespeare's involvement in the staging of his works, delving into the responsibilities of a Company Manager and examining historical evidence.

The Role of a Company Manager

During the time of Shakespeare, the term 'Company Manager' encompassed a wide range of responsibilities, including both business management and direction. Much like the modern Production Manager, Shakespeare would have been involved in virtually every aspect of his company's operations, from casting to devising stage directions.

Instances of Stage Directing in Shakespeare's Works

One of the most compelling pieces of evidence for Shakespeare's involvement in stage direction can be found in Hamlet. In this play, the titular character provides acting advice to the players, implicitly suggesting that Shakespeare himself may have given similar instructions during rehearsals. This advice revolves around the idea of achieving believiability in performance:

"Speak the speech I pray you as I pronounced it to you trippingly on the tongue: but if you mouth itnas many of your players do I had as lief the town-crier spoke my lines. Nor do not saw the airntoo much with your hand thus but use all gently for in the very torrent tempest and as I may saynthe whirlwind of passion you must acquire and beget a temperance that may give it smoothness.”"

Perhaps the most well-known of these lines is the famous phrase 'speak the speech trippingly on the tongue,' emphasizing the importance of wordplay and performance. The notion of holding "a mirror up to nature" (or beliviability) is another crucial aspect of his advice, highlighting Shakespeare's keen eye for authenticity in acting.

Evidence from 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream'

The play 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream' features a character named Peter Quince, who is portrayed as an incompetent director. However, the fact that Quince is directing the play suggests that there were, in fact, directors during Shakespeare's time. This raises the question of whether Quince, or someone like him, also wrote the play. If he did, it would imply that Shakespeare himself was active in directing the plays he wrote.

The Evolution of Theatrical Practices

The advent of theatres in the 1580s brought significant changes to the way plays were produced. Before this era, the idea of someone directing a play was not commonly practiced. The actors often learned their lines on the day of the performance and did not have a set script. One possible exception is The Tempest, which may have had written scripts. As theatres emerged, the need for stage lighting and special effects increased, necessitating more precise direction for specific scenes.

Shakespeare's Specific Direction in Scenes

In addition to overall direction, there is evidence that Shakespeare directed many of the entrances and exits in his plays. This suggests that while not all aspects of direction were formalized, Shakespeare took an active role in managing these details to ensure the performance ran smoothly.

Conclusion

The question of whether Shakespeare stage directed all of his own plays remains largely unanswered due to the scarcity of concrete evidence. However, the available evidence indicates that Shakespeare was involved in directing, albeit not always in a formal sense. His characterizations of direction in stage directions and the evidence from 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream' provide valuable insights into the theatrical practices of the Elizabethan era.