Another great decision by Barton is not to spend too much time "directing," or making specific choices on character or presentation that aren't there in the text. Instead, he spends his time fleshing out the thought process of the actors and exploring the specific challenges they and the director must face. His advice is always sound and based in a keen knowledge of Shakespeare's works, his world and his poetry.
As a Shakespearean actor, I found the DVDs most enjoyable and informative, and I think the same would be true of anyone with a keen interest in the Bard. I imagine, though, that they would also be a great tool for someone looking to bring Shakespeare into the classroom. In an acting class, or even a high school English class, Barton's accessible approach to Shakespeare is enlightening, as he particularly focuses on those aspects of Elizabethan drama (soliloquies, poetry, metaphor, imagery, antithesis) that a modern audience tends to struggle with the most. The neat separation of the series into segments, not to mention its star power, would make it a useful and practical discussion piece for any educator.
In short, I must say that I greatly enjoyed Playing Shakespeare and give it my strongest recommendation. If nothing else, you at least get to see Captain Picard and Monsieur Poirot take turns playing Shylock. What more could a Shakespeare enthusiast ask for?
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