I read the No Fear translated version in preparation to see the play performed at the University of Georgia. Normally I would read both the translated and original versions simultaneously, but I needed to finish it fast in anticipation of seeing it performed, and I figured I would be getting the real version as it was meant to be seen when I attended the play.

I went to see the performance just to cross seeing a Shakespeare play performed live off of my bucket list. I did not expect to truly enjoy it- Shakespeare’s language is dense/hard to understand and it was only a college performance.

I was so surprised and impressed! It was actually quite amazing. Professionals could not have done a better job. The set consisted of a number of large rectangular abstract pieces. When I first saw them I thought to myself “wow, this is a low-budget production”. But it worked SO perfectly. The pieces moved back and forth across the stage so that different arrangements portrayed different locations. And the design was actually very pleasing to the eye once everything got going with the actors in front. It paired very well with their costumes which were also great. 

Other aspects were done very simply/cheaply but it worked SO well. I guess if any show was meant to be performed barebones, it is Shakespeare. 

I actually really enjoyed the No Fear translation when I read it prior to the performance- it was probably the funniest Shakespeare comedy I have read yet. But it was so much better being performed. They did SUCH a good job interpreting the script and acting it out. It was SO funny. The Dromios in particular were absolutely amazing. With their wigs and hats, they were very much almost identical. Everyone else did an excellent job as well. 

I will definitely be checking out other performances of Shakespeare to see if all of Shakespeare's plays are better performed live, or if UGA just did a truly remarkable job in this instance.