Shakespeare Mock Trial part 1: Background
May. 12th, 2012 05:11 pmThe mock trial post is getting really long, so I'm splitting it into two parts: the background information and the actual trial transcript. This is the background post.
Three years ago, I went to a mock trial called "Malvolio's Revenge" held at the Shakespeare Theater.
This year, I went back. And before I get into details, I want to put into record two facts I need to remember for next time:
1) The wait list did indeed come through. It came through so swimmingly that I was called back not just when tickets became free, but *on the day of* just to be sure there were no empty seats.
2) Although seats in advance were $75 and seats for trial & dinner are $350, seats bought 6 hours before the show? ARE ONLY $20!!!! (M came zipping from work like a scalded cat; we didn't sit together, but we both got to go.)
Although? For that night of political humor, law, song lyrics, and theater (in all senses of the term) honestly? It would totally have been worth the $350 not to miss it.
This one was called "Ado, I do, Adieu: Claudio v. Hero." The general gist, as taken from the theater's website (copied because they'll take it down):
After three months of marriage, Lady Hero of Messina files a complaint for absolute divorce from her husband, Count Claudio in the Superior Court of Messina, seeking, inter alia, return of her dowry, division of marital property (specifically, their opulent wedding gifts) and permanent alimony. In a pretrial stipulation, Hero and Claudio agree that in Much Ado About Nothing, their matchmaker, William Shakespeare, has relayed accurately the saga of their courtship and marriage. At trial, they agree on little else.
The court finds in her favor awarding one-half of their wedding gifts and an alimony award of 30,000 florins per month, permanently. Claudio is appealing the divorce and the award of alimony. Meanwhile, Hero is making a cross-appeal with respect to the denial of the return of her dowry. “The course of true love never doth run smooth……”
( Full legal text of trial scenario )
Side note 1: Last time, the bios listed how many times each Counsel had argued before SCOTUS. Apparently neither one of these has.
Side note 2: I found out from a former theater usher that RB Ginsburg is a huge Shakespeare fan with season tickets to every opening night and is very likely one of the instigators of the mock trial concept.
There was a champagne reception after, and on my way out I passed Justice RB Ginsburg as she was leaving with a champagne flute. I told her it was always a pleasure to see her working. She inclined her head 1/16th of an inch.
Trial Transcript
Three years ago, I went to a mock trial called "Malvolio's Revenge" held at the Shakespeare Theater.
This year, I went back. And before I get into details, I want to put into record two facts I need to remember for next time:
1) The wait list did indeed come through. It came through so swimmingly that I was called back not just when tickets became free, but *on the day of* just to be sure there were no empty seats.
2) Although seats in advance were $75 and seats for trial & dinner are $350, seats bought 6 hours before the show? ARE ONLY $20!!!! (M came zipping from work like a scalded cat; we didn't sit together, but we both got to go.)
Although? For that night of political humor, law, song lyrics, and theater (in all senses of the term) honestly? It would totally have been worth the $350 not to miss it.
This one was called "Ado, I do, Adieu: Claudio v. Hero." The general gist, as taken from the theater's website (copied because they'll take it down):
After three months of marriage, Lady Hero of Messina files a complaint for absolute divorce from her husband, Count Claudio in the Superior Court of Messina, seeking, inter alia, return of her dowry, division of marital property (specifically, their opulent wedding gifts) and permanent alimony. In a pretrial stipulation, Hero and Claudio agree that in Much Ado About Nothing, their matchmaker, William Shakespeare, has relayed accurately the saga of their courtship and marriage. At trial, they agree on little else.
The court finds in her favor awarding one-half of their wedding gifts and an alimony award of 30,000 florins per month, permanently. Claudio is appealing the divorce and the award of alimony. Meanwhile, Hero is making a cross-appeal with respect to the denial of the return of her dowry. “The course of true love never doth run smooth……”
( Full legal text of trial scenario )
Side note 1: Last time, the bios listed how many times each Counsel had argued before SCOTUS. Apparently neither one of these has.
Side note 2: I found out from a former theater usher that RB Ginsburg is a huge Shakespeare fan with season tickets to every opening night and is very likely one of the instigators of the mock trial concept.
There was a champagne reception after, and on my way out I passed Justice RB Ginsburg as she was leaving with a champagne flute. I told her it was always a pleasure to see her working. She inclined her head 1/16th of an inch.
Trial Transcript