Ghosts and the supernatural are a central part of Shakespeare’s world. In previous posts, we have explored the ghost of Hamlet’s father — whose revelation about his murder begins the action of the play — and the Three Witches in Macbeth, who foretell the fate of the future king. As this fascinating resource from the British Library discusses, there are many, many more spooky encounters across all of Shakespeare’s plays!
Prompted by Halloween — our favorite season here at Shakespeare For Our Children — we started to think more about Shakespeare’s ghosts … and how best to bring them (back) to life on the stage.
The first strategy that comes to mind, of course, is costuming and make-up. You can take the classic approach: dressing in black, grey, or white; powdering the hair and face to create a chalky, mask-like texture. Or you could go a less traditional route, dressing the young actor in the same kind of garb that other cast are wearing. This can evoke an even eerier sense that the supernatural figures are walking among the characters in their “real,” everyday lives — which, in Shakespeare’s landscape, they sometimes are.
Another way to signal an otherworldly presence is through musical cues. Maybe an eerie melody introduces Hamlet’s father whenever he appears; perhaps a skirl of the bagpipes heralds the Three Witches. And depending on available equipment, you can also design lighting effects to literally highlight and isolate the character — they can step out of the shadows and into a spotlight, for example.
But even leaving aside all these ghostly trappings, the most important thing is the performance itself. Ask your children how they hear or see these characters in their minds, and then think about ways to fully realize that vision. Would it be through a certain tone of voice? Or perhaps a distinct type of body language they can adopt?
As ever with Theatre, you and the young actors can have fun imagining all the possibilities!
©2022