Helen Mirren says reading Shakespeare in schools is a waste of time

By
Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 2:36 PM on 3rd March 2011

Admission: Helen Mirren doesn’t think children should be made to read Shakespeare at school

Helen Mirren stunned TV viewers this morning when she insisted that reading Shakespeare in schools is a waste of time.

The actress, who stars as Prospera in the upcoming reworked version of The Tempest, said it is much more effective for young people to see the Bard’s work on the stage rather than reading it in books.

Appearing on Daybreak today, Mirren said: ‘Honestly, I don’t think kids should be made to read Shakespeare at all. I think children’s very first experience of Shakespeare should always be in performance, in the theatre, or on film.

‘Mostly in theatre, but it should be a performance because that makes it alive and real.’

Mirren,
who has starred in various Shakespeare plays including Measure for
Measure during her career, also said the popularity of Shakespeare means
film adaptations will outlive blockbuster movies such as Avatar.

She
said: ‘The great thing about doing Shakespeare is that on film, you
know that in 20 years time when Avatar – which incidentally, don’t get
me wrong, I think was  a groundbreaking brilliant film – but it will be
kind of old hat.

‘The Tempest will be watched as fresh in 20 years time as it is for anyone watching it today.’

The Tempest, which is due for release in the UK on Friday, is the second film in which Mirren has starred alongside comedian Russell Brand.

Honest: Mirren made the admission during an interview on Daybreak today to promote the release of her new movie The Tempest

Shakespeare star: Mirren stars as Prospera in the The Tempest, released on Friday

And despite being originally dubious about working with the British
star, Mirren said the pair have forged a strong friendship after also
collaborating on upcoming comedy Arthur.

She said: ‘I’m a bit
infatuated with him now. I was terrified because, you know, Russell
Brand! Like the bad boy of bad boys. And I’m not a bad girl, I’m a good
girl. And when good girls meet bad boys, terrible things can happen –
mostly to the good girls.

‘We did Arthur together which was really wonderful and it kind of sealed
our relationship. And there I got to see what an amazing guy he is – an
incredible hard worker, kindest heart in the world, funny of course,
he’s a great guy.’