The Standard Deviants - DVD Shakespeare Pack

Rating:
Summary: Standard Deviants vs Shakespeare Collection
Review: I am trying to check out the Standard Deviants dvd/video series on Shakespeare (a study tool, I understand) but I think that the review below applies to another product (the Shakespeare Collection which is a series of performances of the plays - not a study of them).

Rating:
Summary: The three tape Deviants set.
Review: If you are not familiar with the Standard Deviants , they take complex learning subjects (those that were such a bore in school) and present them in an entertaining, visually interesting way. Like any good training videos, they focus on concepts, very few specifics... (Specifics are easily forgotten when you turn the tape off...) Within, several young people share duties as expert and host. This way, specific learning's are associated with different people. That's a pretty good concept and it works well in these episodes. In the ORIGINS episode they talk about Shakespeare and set up a bit about the world he lived and wrote in. they also explore the history of tragedy as well as briefly chatting about 6 of his shows including TITUS ANDRONICUS, HAMLET, KING LEAR, ROMEO AND JULIET, MACBETH and OTHELLO. This is an interesting tape, but the subject might still be better treated in an always-accessible hard copy format, such as a SHAKESPEARE FOR DUMMIES... With the other two tapes, the style does not hold up as well. Within they examine six tragedies up close and personal. Many of their observations are valid but, scattered throughout we see deviant performers attempting Shakespeare. My hats off to them for trying but, their inability to master the speech mars the message they are trying to put across. This should only be used for a cursory overview or maybe a refresher. Especially for the technologically challenged. The DVD versions offer links and extra learning's but the VHS has the same content and can save you a few buck.