--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: People go to see Shakespeare plays over…" description: "\"People go to see Shakespeare plays over and over, not because the story is new, but because they want to see how a certain actor will perform in a role..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a24/lorne-greene-5780_actor_people-go-to-see-shakespeare-plays-over_401045.jpg" --- # People go to see Shakespeare plays over and over, not… ![“People go to see Shakespeare plays over and over, not because the story is new, but because they want to see how a certain actor will perform in a role that is familiar to the audience.” quote by Lorne Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a24/lorne-greene-5780_actor_people-go-to-see-shakespeare-plays-over_401045.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a24/lorne-greene-5780_actor_people-go-to-see-shakespeare-plays-over_401045.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a24/lorne-greene-5780_actor_people-go-to-see-shakespeare-plays-over_401045.jpg) > “People go to see Shakespeare plays over and over, not because the story is new, but because they want to see how a certain actor will perform in a role that is familiar to the audience.” [Lorne Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorne-greene/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Audiences repeatedly attend Shakespeare because they are drawn to the actor’s interpretation of familiar roles, not the novelty of the story. **In simple terms:** People watch for performance, not plot. Key Takeaway Focus on performance quality. Themes theatre performance familiarity Mood appreciative reflective Type observational analytical When to use this quote - live theater - acting workshops - film adaptations - rehearsal critique Key Concepts interpretation audience expectation Questions to Reflect On - How does an actor’s portrayal change your perception of a classic? - What does this say about celebrity culture? A Different Perspective Actors may become the sole focus, eclipsing the play’s themes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shakespeare/) [Shakespeare Plays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shakespeare-plays/) [Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/story/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [One may discover a new side to his most intimate friend when for the first time he hears him speak in public. He will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/one-may-discover-a-new-side-to-his-most-intimate-friend-when-for-the/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [At the roots, people are still people. That's why Shakespeare is so popular no matter what the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vint-cerf/at-the-roots-people-are-still-people-that-s-why-shakespeare-is-so/) [Vint Cerf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vint-cerf/) > [Anything that brings people to see Shakespeare is fine by me. He's the great humanist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-fearon/anything-that-brings-people-to-see-shakespeare-is-fine-by-me-he-s-the/) [Ray Fearon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-fearon/) > [Particularly for English people, Shakespeare is always at the forefront of both drama and the English language. He's always been there. 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