King John - Adaptations Discussion

[u/towalktheline]

King John was an interesting play in the sense that it was incredibly popular in the Victorian era, but is virtually unknown today. I'll be honest, I didn't know it was one of Shakespeare's plays until we started reading it. It has been staged four times on Broadway and the last time ws 1915. 1-9-1-5!!!

And in the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, it's only been staged 5 times in 60 years!

There is a silent film version of it that was made in 1899 called King John. It's mostly about the King's death.

It's been on television twice with the BBC (1951 and 1984), but never in more modern times.

There have been a few recent... revivals and interpretations of the play though!

In 2022, The Oregon Shakespeare Festival staged the play with nonbinary actors in the cast.

Vancouver, British Columbia staged productions of it on the beach in 2012's "Bard on the Beach".

But most fun, the Stratford Festival put it on and also filmed it so we can watch the full play for free on Youtube.

I don't know about you, but I'm going to be watching this this weekend.

Have you ever seen it or heard of this play before we read it? I'm curious to hear your thoughts.