This abridged edition of Shakespeare's First Folio for children preserves much of the original poetry and language, making it accessible for young readers. The illustrations and careful editing highlight key passages and characters, offering a unique introduction to Shakespeare's works.
This children's edition of Shakespeare's First Folio is a remarkable achievement, preserving much of the original poetry and language while making it accessible for young readers. The plays are abridged to be performed in under 20 minutes, with key lines and scenes retained. The illustrations by Emily Sutton add a contemporary touch, contrasting with the complexity of the language. The editor, Anjna Chouhan, has skillfully selected the most memorable passages, ensuring a coherent narrative. While some topics have been removed for propriety, the edition manages to capture the essence of each play, making it a delightful introduction to Shakespeare for children.
Quick quotes
This edition, abridged by scholar Anjna Chouhan and the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, manages to preserve astounding amounts of poetry.
The texts were abridged by Shakespeare scholar Anjna Chouhan, working with the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, and we’re told that the aim of the project was to ensure that each play could be performed by small groups of schoolchildren, in less than 20 minutes, “using almost entirely Shakespeare’s original language”.
The book is illustrated by Emily Sutton, who has supplied more than 150 ingeniously detailed watercolour drawings, including 36 title-pages, and 300 odd character portraits ranging from Macbeth to Crab, the “sourest-natured” dog in The Two Gentlemen of Verona.