Shakespeare and Original Parallels: Early Modern Scholarship and Innovation Principles

Myles, R (2025) Shakespeare and Original Parallels: Early Modern Scholarship and Innovation Principles. Doctoral thesis, Liverpool John Moores University.

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Abstract

I introduced the conceptual framework of Original Parallels in Innovation and Digital Theatremaking: Rethinking Theatre with ‘The Show Must Go Online’ (2024) . This method is my original contribution to practice-based research and underpins my published works to date. This thesis expands upon and develops Original Parallels as a methodology that diverges from Original Practice, while utilising early modern performance scholarship and aspects of early modern pedagogy. The principles of innovation used in business today help me to reinterpret and repurpose such scholarship to inform contemporary engagement with Shakespeare. Moving beyond Original Practice’s attempts to reconstruct authenticity, drawing from the theories of Hartmut Rosa, I establish ‘resonance’ as a first principle of Original Parallels. Early modern performance and production resonates with current-day challenges and opportunities in the three main areas where Shakespeare is encountered: education, actor-training, and productions. I first explore a new role for Shakespeare in education, drawing from scholarship on education in Shakespeare’s time to propose a citizenship- and communication-based education. Early modern sources on the training of actors then help to theorise what a modern curriculum might look like in creating flexible artists for future media. In production, I examine what inspiration modern companies might take from early modern practices across touring, eco-friendly theatre, the use of creative technologies, and audience interaction. Finally, I unify these areas with a provocation that explores how theatre and education might combine resources to deliver meaningful practice-based interventions. I rethink the repertory system to create regionally-based artistic teams drawn from, and embedded into, communities to provide entertainment, training and education.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Shakespeare; Original Parallels; Original Practice; Theatre Practice; Theatre in Education; Resonance Theory; Innovation
Subjects:	P Language and Literature > PN Literature (General) > PN2000 Dramatic representation. The Theater
Divisions:	Humanities and Social Science
Date of acceptance:	27 June 2025
Date Deposited:	31 Jul 2025 15:17
Last Modified:	31 Jul 2025 15:17
DOI or ID number:	10.24377/LJMU.t.00026798
Supervisors:	Rachel, W, Bee, H and Andrew, S
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/26798

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