As a former English Teacher, I just had to watch this, and so far, I like what I see.
Using modern music to make it feel contemporary is no problem for me. Lots of movies do this (hard rock in Wonder Woman set in WWI? A variety of modern music - and shoes - in Marie Antoinette?) I'm sure when WS's history plays were performed, they used Elizabethan music, and not the music from the time the plays were set. Totally valid.
The use of color was strange, inaccurate, but amazingly beautiful. Dyes were expensive. Bright colors wouldn't have been worn by the groundlings. By the actors and by the nobility - sure, but not regular folk. On the other hand, it was lovely to look at - an explosion of color and textures, and it totally added to the atmosphere.
Was he or wasn't he Catholic? We simply don't know. The show suggesting that he was, adds interest, and allows for other conflicts that he must get himself out of. It's no different than filling in any other of the blanks in his life.
The poetry slam was great fun, as was his rescuing the important scene in his play by bursting onto stage, to get Burbage Jr. to stop shouting his lines.
I also loved the hint of danger and politics (for those who think Theater has been a safe space - think again. Actors have always used their stage to make statements).
And, I loved the grunge, the earthiness, and all that. The Elizabethans were in no way prudish.
Using modern music to make it feel contemporary is no problem for me. Lots of movies do this (hard rock in Wonder Woman set in WWI? A variety of modern music - and shoes - in Marie Antoinette?) I'm sure when WS's history plays were performed, they used Elizabethan music, and not the music from the time the plays were set. Totally valid.
The use of color was strange, inaccurate, but amazingly beautiful. Dyes were expensive. Bright colors wouldn't have been worn by the groundlings. By the actors and by the nobility - sure, but not regular folk. On the other hand, it was lovely to look at - an explosion of color and textures, and it totally added to the atmosphere.
Was he or wasn't he Catholic? We simply don't know. The show suggesting that he was, adds interest, and allows for other conflicts that he must get himself out of. It's no different than filling in any other of the blanks in his life.
The poetry slam was great fun, as was his rescuing the important scene in his play by bursting onto stage, to get Burbage Jr. to stop shouting his lines.
I also loved the hint of danger and politics (for those who think Theater has been a safe space - think again. Actors have always used their stage to make statements).
And, I loved the grunge, the earthiness, and all that. The Elizabethans were in no way prudish.