PERFORMER TO BRING BARD'S POETRY INTO 20TH CENTURY THROUGH MUSIC.Byline: P. Catherine Shanks Community Columnist Shakespeare at Sherwood is the order of the evening tonight, when the World Affairs Council World Affairs Council may refer to:
Headlining the fund-raising event at the Sherwood Country Club will be Bard-by-proxy William Clark, an Agoura Hills singer and composer. He will sing Shakespeare's sonnets Shakespeare's sonnets, or simply The Sonnets, is a collection of poems in sonnet form written by William Shakespeare that deal with such themes as love, beauty, politics, and mortality. They were probably written over a period of several years. set to his original tunes. ``The words are transcendent,'' Clark said. ``Shakespeare adds texture and depth to your everyday experience.'' The actor and musician came to develop his characterization of Shakespeare partially by chance and partially by design. He had been acting in musical theater productions for years, so jumped at the chance when RoZsa Horvath, a theater arts professor at Los Angeles Pierce College
``It was a pastiche pastiche (păstēsh`, pä–), work of art that combines themes and styles from various sources in such a way as to appear obviously derivative. of delight,'' Clark said. ``All these words about love woven around me.'' With a laugh, he reflected on his central role in the anthology - which he transformed into a musical review because ``RoZsa said the show required music, too,'' Clark said. Amused, bemused and challenged, he went about the work of scoring sonnets for voice and guitar. Later, the actor took his variation on the road. ``Playing Shakespeare is a bit daunting daunt tr.v. daunt·ed, daunt·ing, daunts To abate the courage of; discourage. See Synonyms at dismay. [Middle English daunten, from Old French danter, from Latin ,'' Clark said. He said that actors who could memorize Shakespearean roles had mesmerized him in the past, but he was still amazed at their ability to remember the old-style Elizabethan verse. Then, he began to work with the love poems. As he put notes to the sonnets, he found the words sprang to life. Clark, who can quote from sonnets as a preacher quotes from the Bible, said he now knows ``a little bit more than nothing.'' He has read all of the sonnets Shakespeare penned and continues to familiarize himself with the plays. Clark said that his staged depiction of the world's greatest poet and playwright in song is a work in progress. ``As long as I keep biting off small pieces, I have to be content that the things I do know, I can own,'' said Clark, admitted he often feels overwhelmed by the volume of material he has yet to read. Dressed, appropriately, in royal blue Renaissance garb, white lace collar and leggings leg·ging n. 1. A leg covering usually extending from the ankle to the knee and often made of material such as leather or canvas, worn especially by soldiers and workers. 2. leggings a. , Clark capitalizes on humor to carry him through his performance. He chooses to forgo authenticity in favor of a more effective presentation. The singer-actor once attempted to incorporate a lute lute, musical instrument that has a half-pear-shaped body, a fretted neck, and a variable number of strings, which are plucked with the fingers. The long lute, with its neck much longer than its body, seems to have been older than the short lute, existing very early into the act. He found the round-bodied instrument uncomfortable to hold, so he opted to accompany his songs with the modern guitar. He found no problem with overlapping and mixing up the centuries. ``Shakespeare was not of one particular time,'' said Clark. ``He was of all ages.'' He said that mankind eternally relates to the man who was, in his words, ``more than a monument. He was an entire mountain range.'' The musician drew a parallel between the writings of the Bard and those of modern authors. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Clark, the writings of Shakespeare were more commercial than many people might think. ``He had to steer clear of religious and political commentary,'' Clark said. ``His sonnets were just short thoughts. They were sugar-coated verses in his day.'' As it is today, competition among artists and entertainers was fierce in Shakespeare's time. In the late 1500s, the chief amusement on the entertainment circuit was bearbaiting bear·bait·ing n. The practice of setting dogs on a chained bear. . Unsuspecting animals were tied to trees while onlookers watched other animals attack. Only a substantial parcel of cleverness, on the part of Master Shakespeare, could have drawn the crowds away from such a spectacle. Acknowledging that he suffers from a ``Stratford dementia,'' Clark hopes to write a Top 40 Shakespeare song some day. His present repertoire runs the gamut from folk to jazz and country western. His light, flexible voice rings true, no matter whCat style of music rolls, trippingly, off his tongue. The a cappella a cap·pel·la adv. Music Without instrumental accompaniment. [Italian : a, in the manner of + cappella, chapel, choir.] Adj. 1. singing group Madrigali, swordsmen, jugglers, jesters, and a host of players from the Ojai Shakespeare Festival will be on hand to greet and entertain guests at tonight's fund-raiser. A buffet of lamb stew, salmon, fruits, cheeses, English beer English beer has a long history, and has quite distinct traditions from most other beer brewing countries (see Beer and nationality). Unusually, England is one of the very few countries (along with Ireland, Scotland, and Wales) where ales, beers brewed by warm and port will be served. The event begins at 6:15 p.m. Tickets are $35. The Sherwood Country Club is located at 320 W. Stafford Road in Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. . For more information call (805) 449-9953. CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO (Color) Performer William Clark dons Elizabethan ruffs and brocade to portray Shakespeare. |
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