Shakespeare and the Modern Stage; with Other Essays

"Shakespeare and the Modern Stage" by Sir Sidney Lee is a collection of essays that looks into how relevant Shakespeare's plays were in the theater of the early 1900s. The book studies different parts of Shakespeare's plays, like how they are shown on stage. It talks about how theater changed from the time of Queen Elizabeth to the early 20th century. The author believes that plays should be brought back to their simplest form, staging the plays more faithfully. The author argues that Shakespeare's plays are often made too flashy with scenery, which hides the true meaning of the words. Lee wants to see a return to simple sets and great actors who can truly bring Shakespeare's stories to life, showing that these old plays can still be powerful and meaningful today.