Shakespeare and a sword-wielding fan in Boyceville

Ron Scot Fry became Shakespeare to produce a show about the Bard, his times, and his work.  Three libraries in IFLS-land had programs with him during National Library Week, and he was a hit with audiences in Eau Claire and Boyceville.

Here’s what they said in Boyceville:  “He had a great mix of teaching us about what life was like in that time period and acting small scenes from his plays. People are still coming in this week and thanking me for having him. I would definitely do it again.”  An 8-year-old who has participated in Shakespeare plays with his homeschool group was invited on stage to recite some lines.

Here’s what they said in Eau Claire:  “Ron Scot Fry did a great job. He engages the audience, uses the language in a very natural manner, interacts well with both youth and adults and strikes a good balance between providing humor and factual historic information.. Eau Claire middle schools do a Shakespeare Festival in May. Student actors were inspired. They gathered round Ron with questions and to share their own experiences with Shakespeare’s works…”

 

Turnout at these presentations was terrific!  In Boyceville (population 1070), 42 people, ages 5 to 95, attended. Nine of them were high school students who received extra credit for attending, but that leaves 33 who attended purely for the pleasure of it.   Eau Claire filled their large meeting room–twice.  I think it is really great that libraries are working to meet the interests and needs of their community, including video gaming tournaments and movie parties.  But sometimes, throwing in a program about Shakespeare (or something like it) can meet needs, too!  I know some teens who are not interested in gaming or popular culture but who drove 50 miles to attend a program about Shakespeare…Kudos to Altoona, Eau Claire and Boyceville libraries for taking a chance on a program like this and making it a success!